What's up with all of the melting Rubik's cubes?

[Frog]

The original has to be a protected image, doesn't it?
However, like so many designs (especially when modeled on the screen by celebrities as the esteemed Dr. Sheldon Cooper), copies abound.
https://www.google.com/search?q=melting+rubik%27s+cube&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiLuom958fKAhUL62MKHVvBAK8Q_AUICCgC&biw=1680&bih=925#imgrc=RL5hatAIPajJdM%3A

Now, I am not being asked to crank out some knockoffs, but a logo I am being asked to include on a small job uses this popular image as it's main graphic.
Since I am familiar with the shirt, my almost immediate response was the same as had it been Yosemite Sam. "Not on my watch!"

Thoughts?

[mimosatexas]

original is by this guy i think: http://www.glennz.co.nz/
Looks like he has licensed it to a few places like thinkgeek