Hello everyone,
This probably doesn't come as a surprise to those aware of how licensing works, but it is necessary that, eventually, we remove SCP-173's image. Licensing has been going through all the images on the site over the past few years and replacing or removing non-compliant images. As the images are often included in SCP-derivative content (of which are CC-BY-SA 3.0) despite not being compliant, it often results in licensing violations on those images. This is most apparent with SCP-173, which is most often used in derivative media.
SCP-173's image, which is owned by Izumi Kato (who has graciously allowed us to use Untitled 2004), has often been the subject to copyright violations by people wanting to profit from SCP. Beyond Izumi Kato's works often being used for monetary purposes (illegally) by external sources, it has also resulted in Izumi Kato's works being hijacked and forced to take on external artistic meaning beyond its original intended purpose. It is likely that Untitled 2004 will not been viewed as anything other than SCP-173 for years to come, which is against the spirit of our site.1
Due to this, we have a legal — and moral — obligation to remove SCP-173's image. While this is something easy to delay (and has been delayed significantly), it is necessary for us to finally perform the final step and remove SCP-173's image. It will be executed following the vote that results from this discussion post, should it receive majority approval.
Licensing will handle non-173 Untitled 2004 images on the site. Internet Outreach will be responsible for informing the outer audience of this via social media platforms. The legal notice at the bottom of the article will be removed alongside the image.
As per the author (Moto42)'s request, SCP-173 will not be provided a replacement image.
04 mirror: https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/forum/t-14468376/discussion-removing-scp-173-s-image-untitled-2004