Copenhagen - The Danish Union of Journalists said Thursday it wanted damages from two Danish anti-Islam groups that used a newspaper cartoonist's work without his permission.

Acting on behalf of newspaper cartoonist Kurt Westergaard, the union said it wanted 200,000 kroner (42.000 dollars) in damages for the illegal use of the cartoon that depicted the prophet Mohammed with a bomb in his turban.

It was published on websites and placards in connection with a protest in March, despite a court order.

The cartoon also figured in a controversial anti-Islam film made by Dutch opposition legislator Geert Wilders, who later removed it after being contacted by the Danish Union of Journalists and its Dutch counterpart.

Westergaard's cartoon was one of 12 published in newspapers that sparked violent protests in 2006 by Muslims worldwide and triggered a boycott of Danish goods.

Leading Danish newspapers reprinted the cartoons in February after Danish security police said they had averted an alleged plot to murder Westergaard.(dpa)