Original Magic: The Gathering artist Jesper Myrfors has callsed into question publisher Wizards of the Coast's apparent changes to copyright stamps on cards.
In an October 8 Facebook post, Myrfors made a public announcement regarding Magic: The Gathering 30th Anniversary Edition. Specifically, Myrfors called into question the card Goblin King, for which he provided the original art when the card first appeared in the very first Magic: The Gathering set, now known as Alpha, in 1993. On the original printings of the card, the copyright symbol appeared next to Myrfors' name, whereas more recent printings have the copyright attributed to Wizards of the Coast.
This discrepancy is highlighted in an image comparing the two cards with the notation, "I never sold or transfered [sic] any of the copyrights to my images done for Magic: The Gathering. All artwork done for Magic: The Gathering by Jesper Myrfors is copyright Jesper Myrfors." The post itself explained that while Myrfors has reached out to Wizards of the Coast for a comment or clarification regarding the matter, he has yet to receive a response. Myrfors also implored other Magic: The Gathering artists who did not sell their copyrights to Wizards of the Coast to take note of the situation.
In an addendum added to the original post, Myrfors clarified that "I am pretty sure this was an oversight on the part of WotC. I am making this post simply to publicly state the actual facts and to protect my copyrights." Myrfors described himself as "disappointed... but I am not angry," before noting that "...as of now there is no talk of lawsuits or anything drastic."
Myrfors was one of Magic: The Gathering's 25 original artists commissioned to create art for the game's first set, which would come to be known as A/B/U, or Alpha/Beta/Unlimited as differentiated by the changes in the set's print runs. Myrfors' work has appeared in numerous sets, ranging from early expansions including Arabian Knights, Legends and Antiquities all the way through the game's 9th Edition in 2005. In total, Myrfors' art has appeared on 57 unique Magic: The Gathering cards, many of which have been reprinted at various points in the game's history apart from their inclusion in the hotly contested if not much maligned 30th Anniversary Edition.
Upon its release, Magic: The Gathering's 30th Anniversary Edition was met with a slew of outcry among the fan base regarding both its exorbitant price point and the fact that it effectively skirted the game's longstanding Reserve List policy through a series of reprints that are ultimately unplayable in any official setting.
Source: Facebook