Media companies shaking down startups for using news logos

Today I received a shake-down notice from a group called PARS International for using the logos of NYT and Forbes on our homepage with the logos linking to articles they wrote about us. PARS was asking for $1,500/logo. I first thought it was a scam as there was no way a major media publication would see this as a violation of fair use (even on principle), and I demanded that someone from NYT and Forbes contact me directly. To my surprise, I got unspoofed emails from their legal departments a few hours later.

While I can't believe that this does not qualify as fair use, we took the logos + links down because it's not all that important. If they don't want the traffic and recognition that's fine. Also, their reporters and contributors reach out to us a lot of expert opinion and data and I'm afraid that we won't be available anymore.

Is anyone else getting these shakedowns? What other companies are doing this? Seems very short-sighted. Since this is common practice with a lot of startups I thought it should be shared. Next time you're thinking about your press release you may want to select an appropriate publication.