Fathom has a point. Directv has a loads of staff and $$ to send registered mail. Also, what email did you recieve this from?
I was only making a statement about your post that I quoted. It was only a clarification of terminology regarding C&D. I am not suggesting that the email that was received in this case was legitimate or that it came from DirectTV. I agree, that if the email was written the way it was posted, then at best it is a scare tactic from a low level employee at DirectTV and at worst it is a false threat by somebody not even related to DirectTV but who thinks he/she could get a free domain this way. No attorney would send a notice of filing suit via email (that would only make it easier to avoid the process server). Nor would they give the option to cease after filing. If they are going through the effort to file, they either have sent a C&D first, just want money, or want to make a statement. I doubt DirectTV is going after a small time webmaster for the money. The OP did not mention a C&D, and if they were trying to make a statement (akin to the RIAA) they would have served him papers.