Can I avoid 'settled for less' on my credit report without paying in full?

I received a letter about settling for less. I asked for a letter stating it would be reported as paid in full. They said they will not do that. The account will be closed and show settled for less. They will only report paid in full if I pay in full. So now what do I do? I do not want to pay in full. I also do not want it to show as settled for less. This debt is about nine years old. It is from a stupid mistake I made at 18 with Dish Network. I got screwed over.

This is past the statue of limitations... Do not pay anything or you open up a new time frame. CALL all 3 credit bureaus... Ask to have this old account removed.