Motsa,
This may be completely irrelevant and inaccurate, in your case, but in my experience I see many people cross an ethical boundary, not because they mean any ill-will, but because they haven't thought about it enough to realize the ethical boundary exists at all. It could be a simple thoughtless mistake in judgement.
In many cases, people really appreciate that someone took the time to explain the ethical considerations without attacking them for their inappropriate action.
Maybe they understand some of the rules of the ODP and didn't feel there was anyway to contact you for permission. Asking your permission in an open forum may be too embarrassing. Most of the time they are frightened of the answer they believe you would give, and worried they will not be strong enough to live with the answer they don't really want to hear. So they decide to never ask for permission at all, not realizing that is worse than asking in the first place and disregarding a negative answer.
They could just foolishly and inaccurately assume it was something you probably acquired from some royalty free icon source. They also might have simply believed that no one would ever find out on the huge internet, which isn't that aweful a crime in the world of the internet we all know in some degree.
I hope they will be asked directly, by someone, in a kind and thoughtful way, if they understand that it is a custom avatar. They may not have ever imagined the injuries their actions have caused. You may be shocked by their embarrassed response.
As long as they are asked by someone (it doesn't need to be you), who kindly assumes they simply didn't understand, it really leaves them with no reasonable response other than to thank you for casting light on the subject, and to cease the behavior.
A simple last resort of a very kind appeal to their conscience may be in order. Not very many people want to wake up in the morning, day after day, and be disgusted when they look in the mirror.
You could always offer to help them create their own so they can be different too!
I hope it is not lost to a blatantly malicious person or entity, who will continue in a reckless manner. You may already know that may be the case. Ying and Yang will eventually bring that back to balance.
I am glad you have shed more light on the subject. I would imagine there are about 4,000 other editors who would love to kindly raise the subject with the possibly innocent party. Only one is necessary.
I wish you a swift recovery, a positive outcome, and an end to your loss.
Never fear crowbar is on the trail!
