The irony of wearing a Guy Fawkes mask

Stark white with blushed pink cheeks and a wide grin, the mask resonates with the hackers because it was worn by a rogue anarchist challenging an authoritarian government in "V for Vendetta," the movie produced in 2006 by Warner Brothers.

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...

Indeed, with the help of Anonymous, the $6 mask has become one of the most popular disguises and -- in a small way -- has added to the $28 billion in revenue Time Warner accumulated last year. 

Via the StarTribune.  Photo credit: Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press.

Addendum October 2011:  The BBC has just posted a long report entitled "V for Vendetta masks: Who's behind them?"