Anyone know who owns Bullywugs?

[steeldragons]

They're a bit o' nostalgia from the old cartoon and stuff, and I'd love to include them, as existing, in my world of Orea.

I know WotC has claimed copyright to certain of their (more popular and classic) monsters, though certainly not all.

Anyone know if Bullywugs are copywritten (to anyone for that matter, not just WotC) or if they're free game to use in other publications?

Thanks in advance.
--Steel Dragons

 

[Morrus]

I have a small stable of bullywugs in the back yard. They make a mess, I can tell you!

Oh, wait, that's not what you were asking?

Good question - I've no idea.

 

[IronWolf]

I am pretty sure WotC never released the bullywug under an open license and are in the same category as beholders and such.

You might want to take a look at Pathfinder's Boggard though, it might work for the purpose you want.

Boggard - Pathfinder_OGC

 

[tomBitonti]

I'm not finding hits, except from D&D, so it's probably (C) Hasbro / WOTC / TSR.

This is one of the better links:

Bullywug - eNotes.com Reference

The bullywug made its first appearance in the original Fiend Folio (1981); the index at the back of the book credits Luke Gygax and Gary Gygax as the contributors who created the creature.

 

[Aeolius]

My handy-dandy 1e Fiend Folio lists Luke and Gary Gygax as the creators of the bullywug. Aside from that, they appeared in the Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerûn for 3e.

 

[Umbran]

Anyone know if Bullywugs are copywritten (to anyone for that matter, not just WotC) or if they're free game to use in other publications?

It appeared in TSR/WotC books, so it most certainly is covered by copyright. Even if the name were public domain, the stats wouldn't be.

If it appeared in the d20 SRD, then it'd be easily available for your use if you published under that license. Unfortunately, they don't appear. So, you'd have to go to WotC to ask permission.

 

[IronWolf]

My handy-dandy 1e Fiend Folio lists Luke and Gary Gygax as the creators of the bullywug. Aside from that, they appeared in the Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerûn for 3e.

And Monster Manual II in 4e supposedly.

 

[steeldragons]

Thanks guys. I was afraid of that.

And yes, Iron Wolf, good call. The boggards are a pretty direct recreation...but then, wouldn't their rights be held by Paizo?

Would that it were so easy as writing Luke an email and a check. "Hey Luke, can I publish bullywugs in my campaign world? Give ya $50 fer it." Alas...

 

[Umbran]

And yes, Iron Wolf, good call. The boggards are a pretty direct recreation...but then, wouldn't their rights be held by Paizo?

I believe the Pathfinder Bestairy is published under the OGL - that link is to the Pathfinder d20 SRD - and so the critter would be available under the terms of that license.

 

[amethal]

Thanks guys. I was afraid of that.

And yes, Iron Wolf, good call. The boggards are a pretty direct recreation...but then, wouldn't their rights be held by Paizo?

All Pathfinder rules stuff is open content apart from some setting specific bits and pieces

Bad Axe Games' forthcoming monster book for Trailblazer is also going to contain a boggard-like creature.