Members and followers of Anonymous, an online hacker group, often wear Guy Fawkes masks in public to protect their identities. Now the New York Times is pouring some cold water on this trend, by pointing out that one of the world’s largest corporations gets royalties from every mask sold.

What few people seem to know, though, is that Time Warner, one of the largest media companies in the world and parent of Warner Brothers, owns the rights to the image and is paid a licensing fee with the sale of each mask.

A Guy Fawkes/V for Vendetta Mask

I’m not sure what the purpose of the Times article actually was, though with quotes like this, it may have the effect of trivializing Anonymous:

The Anonymous member declined to share his name, noting that the entire concept of the mask was to remain anonymous. “You can get a mask and join the fight, too! But I heard the costume store is sold out until Friday,” he said.

---