LCS letter for AFP image used in a school project

[cynth]

I recently received my invitation to join this "special club" via an extortion letter from LCS for an AFP image that I used in project for a Adobe Flash class. I was directed to these LFI resources by people I know who have been through this process so I am not panicked...just annoyed at the time it will take to resolve this. I appreciate all of the information here on the forum and website. Before I proceed, I have a few questions:
1. Is the fee for handling the License Compliance Services (LCS) Settlement Demand Letter the same thing as the Getty Images Defense Letter Program ($195)?
2. LCS wants $175 from me. On principle I'd rather pay the ELI fee to make them go away for good. Is this sound thinking?
3. The image I used was for a school project buried deep in a Flash slideshow linked to a class projects page (which I've removed along with anything else that could become a target). It was not used for commercial purposes. Is this something that would fall under "Educational Fair Use"?
4. What is the statute of limitations on this?
5. What might happen if I just ignore LCS?
Thanks for feedback!
CM

[Robert Krausankas (BuddhaPi)]

LCS & Getty Images are one and the same..
It could possiblt fall under "fair use", but a judge would be the one to decide this...they aren't going to sue you over this.
statute is 3 yrs from date of discovery ( or date of first demand letter)
if you ignore, it you willlikely get some follow up demand letters / threats for the next 3 yrs...

Paying for the letter program is your choice, i highly doubt they will persue this over 175.00, it will cost them 495.00 just to file..not worth it to them.

[Greg Troy (KeepFighting)]

You will be fine, save your money.  Getty will not go after you over this.  Just ignore them.