Image distribution services, such as Getty Images, have begun trolling the web to identify copyright protected works that is used without license then issues a "settlement demand" letter seeking outrageous penalties for the unauthorized use.
This use is most often unintentional as the images may have been obtained from various sources offering "royalty free" images, or from template designers or web developers located overseas. The business acts in good faith when using and/or paying for the images and they are always promptly removed when identified.
Rather that simply issue a cease and desist letter, they are demanding penalties many times the cost of a normal license and in many cases they do not own the rights for which they claim payment. This is nothing more than legal extortion.