Yes, it is considered a non-copyright issue when an image has been altered; however, the image MUST be altered by 30% of the original work. Furthermore, if the work in question is not altered by 30%, and it can be proven that said image is being used for your personal gain and/or profitable gain, you or your company could be held liable.
With that being said, there are more important things that need to be considered over Copyright. Even if said image is altered by 30%, that image could still be protected by way of Trademark, Cyber Mark, Trade Name, or Service Mark. If these apply to the image in question, the image is protected by law and cannot be used, in any way, without the written consent of the owner.
For those that might question the validly (which you should) of what I have written, let me assure you I specialize in Contractual and Corporate Law.
Also, for those that want to learn the law on this issue, I would refer all of you to these sites:
U.S. Copyright
http://www.copyright.gov/title17/
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/ht...sup_01_17.html
U.K. Copyright
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1988...80048_en_1.htm
E.U. Copyright Directive
http://cryptome.org/eu-copyright.htm
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