Well, it looks like Flickr is once again brewing up some controversy by deleting user images. The company is citing copyright infringement, but many online are crying censorship.

It all started when Firas Alkhateeb, a history student at the University of Illinois, decided to play around with photoshop and "jokerize" President Obama. He used a Time Magazine cover featuring Obama's image, and added that iconic smile and green hair.

He posted the project to his Flickr site, and the next thing he knew, it had been picked up by some anti-obama protesters who removed the magazine frame and attached the word "socialism" to the bottom.

All this attention caught the eye of Time magazine, as well, and within days, Flickr removed the image citing copyright-infringement. It should be pointed out here that quite a few manipulated images make their home on Flickr. Alkhateeb even has a few altered images, besides the Time cover, that remain on his account today. So why are the Flickr execs only going after this one?

Many online commentators are calling this a blatant attempt at censorship. The truth, however, may be a bit more simple. It is more likely that Flickr simply wants to avoid a lawsuit. Is it even more despicable that Flickr is not willing to stand up for its users? Maybe yes, and maybe no. One thing's for sure, is that we need to take a look at copyright protocol online. Clear guidelines need to be established and enforced. Now, who's ready for that impossible task? Any takers?

 (image edited by Firas Alkhateeb from LA Times)