[centdev]

Seek legal consultation.

With that being said, if they own the right to publicity or copyrights now or represent the artist, it's going to be tough to fight. If it was a personal blog they may be able to go after you personally. But if they are a legitimate rights holder you will spend multiples more trying to fight it on the basis of not knowing about copyrights or not having made money from it.

You should request documentation to the matter and speak with an attorney.

[greenyoda]

Paying the $168 would be much cheaper than seeking legal consultation. And the lawyer would just tell him to pay up. As other commenters pointed out, it's a pretty clear-cut case of copyright infringement and he'd lose (at great expense) if he tried to fight it in court.

"Am I headed into major legal issues if I ignore this?"

If you ignore the notice, they'll take the case to court. If you don't show up at the trial to defend your case, they'll get a summary judgement against you and the court will order you to pay the $168 plus their attorneys fees.

[mattm]

> Paying the $168 would be much cheaper than seeking legal consultation

If it is a scam, that's exactly the type of thinking they count on.