Line #19 Main/SerialNumbersFiledOff

Context Main / SerialNumbersFiledOff

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1	%% Image and caption selected per Image Pickin' thread: tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1378685590054627400
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4	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/birdsvsbash_1289.png]]
5	[[caption-width-right:300:No, ''Chick 'n BASH'' is not an ''VideoGame/AngryBirds'' ripoff.\
6	Pink pigs. Chickens. See? ''Totally'' original.[[note]]Ironically, ''Angry Birds'' is ''also'' a clone of another game, ''Crush the Castle''.[[/note]]]]
7	->''"They scrubbed the [=DeviantART=] barrel for that one."''
8	-->-- '''[[Creator/{{Egoraptor}} Arin Hanson]]''', ''WebVideo/GameGrumps'', ''Sonic Mega Collection''
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10	When an attempt to FollowTheLeader seems to be almost ''exactly'' like the leader, but with cosmetic identifiers (the "serial numbers") changed. The blatant copying of characters and plot is on a level that would make even makers of TheMockbuster blush. (Although that [[SincerestFormOfFlattery needn't mean the quality is bad]]...)
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12	Sometimes this can be by the very creators of the source work, perhaps as a form of applying CaptainErsatz to an entire series (see CreatorDrivenSuccessor and AlternateCompanyEquivalent).
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14	The trope can also be used to write a crossover story without having the rights to the other franchise.
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16	So named because some stolen goods (particularly firearms) would have their identifying serial numbers filed off to make them untraceable.
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18	Creator/RobertAHeinlein used this exact term in his book ''Literature/GloryRoad'': "That's the way with writers; they'll steal anything, file off the serial numbers, and claim it for their own."
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20	Fanfic writers will sometimes convert their fanfics into original properties as an AscendedFanfic. In the event that the original fanfic is still available, you can directly see which character was filed off into which character by comparing the original fanfic with the new work.
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22	Compare MissionPackSequel (when a follow-up is almost just like the first game), BetterByADifferentName, SpiritualSuccessor, TheyCopiedItSoItSucks, RecycledScript, DivorcedInstallment.
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24	Contrast DolledUpInstallment, InNameOnly (both are when a work seems to have the serial numbers of another work scribbled on), ShoddyKnockoffProduct (a ripoff that seeks to look like a work, but is a very poor copy) LawyerFriendlyCameo (when shown as part of a work of fiction), BlandNameProduct.
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26	'''No examples, please.''' While not FlameBait by definition, certain events involving [[Administrivia/ComplainingAboutShowsYouDontLike complaining about shows]] that [[TheyCopiedItSoItSucks borrow even the slightest of ideas]] have [[UnexpectedReactionsToThisIndex driven it into this]].

Context Main / SerialNumbersFiledOff