Alabama Artist Don Stewart's buggy critters are bugging the makers of the Volkswagen Beetle.

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Stewart has attracted the ire of Europe's largest carmaker which is demanding he stop selling his bug sketch and turn over a portion of the money he's made from it.

The automaker's attorneys said the drawing infringes on the Beetle's trademark look, the Birmingham News reported.

Stewart, who watched the attorney's Jan. 20 deadline pass, said he is protected by his First Amendment rights.

"We don't do things just to upset folks," Stewart said. "Sometimes the humor is a little sideways, but it's at no one's expense."

Stewart, who has used his Web site to publicize his spat with VW, has received e-mail from around the world including Russia, Spain, Germany, Brazil and Japan. Those he can translate are supportive.