[Optimus Neeson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NerfTW

They weren't in the original comic either. Which means that most likely the character rights to Bebop and Rocksteady are owned by Murakami-Wolf-Swenson Film Productions Inc, not Mirage comics. Therefore, any appearance in new media (such as the new 4kids Entertainment cartoon) would first require securing the rights from MWSFPI.

So, while getting the rights for a line based on the classic cartoon is worth it, getting them for use in a new show probably isn't.

I'm not sure that's how it is.
See, Nickelodeon holds the rights to everything TMNT related now. They own the franchise, not just the cartoon. They own the comics, and all the toys. Kevin Eastman sold Mirage to Nickelodeon.
These new Bebop and Rocksteady toys were licensed to Playmates by Nickelodeon - at least I'm pretty sure of that, considering everything else.

EDIT:
Mirage Studios - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Quote:

On October 21, 2009 it was announced that cable channel Nickelodeon (A subsidiary of Viacom) had purchased all of Mirage's rights to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles property.

Granted, I can't find anything about what rights are held by Murakami-Wolf-Swenson, I think the appearance of Bebop and Rocksteady in the Classics line heavily suggests Nickelodeon owns the characters.