body: According to Wikipedia, [this photo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarecrow_(Oz)#/media/File:The_Wizard_of_Oz_Ray_Bolger_1939.jpg) of the Wizard of Oz' famous scarecrow is in the public domain.
  
  
  Suppose I used the scarecrow as a symbol of farmers in a book, with the Tin Man serving as a symbol of workers. I might use public domain images of each, or I might hire an artist to draw line-art images or cartoons.
  
  
  On a page where I discuss the decline of agriculture, I might feature a Scarecrow photo or icon as a symbol of farmers. Similarly, an article about labor violence might feature a Tin Man icon.
  
  
  Is it possible that such usage could be deemed illegal? For example, the photos or derivative images might be legal, but whoever owns the right to the movie *The Wizard of Oz* might claim I have no right to use its characters as symbols, mascots, etc.
  
  
  
title: Using the Wizard of Oz' Scarecrow as a symbol