[Clipart] Copyright or Public Domain figurine?

[Nicu Buculei]

Jurgentje wrote:
> on the Open Clipart Library, we've put some figurines of Domo Kun. (look at
> 
> http://www.openclipart.org/cgi-bin/navigate/recreation/toys?page=2)
> 
> On your website you state that the site is copyrighted.
> Now... would you allow that specific (set of 2) image(s) to remain in 
> the public domain, or do we have to remove the image from the clipart 
> Library?

As the author of the two images on openclipart.org, i'll throw my two 
cents: my images are made from scratch, are not copies of something from 
domo-kun.com so don't infringe on anyone's copyright.
It may be argued about it infringing on Japan's NHK television station 
*trademark*, but i honestly consider it as fair use (as i never saw the 
Japanese programs but i was exposed to the internet joke).

References:
- more about Domo Kun: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domo_kun
- the picture making Domo Kun to the western culture: 
http://i.xanga.com/staque/t/kill%20kitten.jpg

-- 
nicu