h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

At the risk of questioning you there Mina, the situation you describe applies to BBC logos and motifs, but not necessarily to other artwork. With regard to the user-generated artwork under discussion here, it might not be strictly illegal to nick the art for one's own website, but it's poor form and should be discouraged. Especially in circomstances wher the BBC itself doesn't own the copyright and so cannot afford to be quite so liberal with allowing others to use it.

I believe the graphic in question was done in-house by either a BBC or former TDV artist, which means it's *probably* okay. But had it been created by the Community Artists and the artist in question objected to its use on another site they'd be well within their rights to request that the artwork was removed.

As a general rule though, if it ain't yours, don't use it.

And it is a risk.