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This is really a job for the Trope Repair Shop
.
I think there are a few things going on here, all of which are trope or trope-like:
- Work becomes so iconic that character is used in other works of media (basically Fountain of Expies)
- Works uses a public domain character- definitely a narrative choice and trope, but pretty much the same as Expy
- Work/character is in the public domain. This is the unique aspect, but I would make this Trivia rather than useful notes. Useful Notes is for general background on media, but this applies to specific works.
I swear I remember a TLP to split off an index page that was specifically "This work uses public domain characters", to try and clarify things, but it seems to have fallen by the wayside.
(...hmm, maybe this one
?)
Almost certainly not (the OP's question). It's a storytelling device and "the page is quite a mess" is not a reason for making something an Useful Notes pafe.
I'd be careful too about using Expy that is a broad and oft-misused trope.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard FeynmanIt could be worth putting on the subtle trope distinctions lists, but a Public Domain Character isn't really the same thing as an Expy.
Just look at how people describe expies in the example sections. Expies are not meant to be the same character but (usually) rather a reach around copyright laws, with different names and backstories. A PDC is what expy-writers want their referenced character to be so that they can cash in on the popularity.
Look at all that shiny stuff ain't they pretty

Public Domain Character
There're two reasons I think it will be better as a useful note.
I think that move it to Useful Note article and stick to listing public domain characters will be more useful for us.
Edited by Kuruni