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Trope Related Question:

Make Private (For security bugs or stuff only for moderators)

naturalironist Since: Jul, 2016
2018-06-18 10:08:00

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.

"It's just a show; I should really just relax"
PaulA Since: Jan, 2010
2018-06-18 17:01:19

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?)

SeptimusHeap MOD (Edited uphill both ways)
2018-06-18 22:51:42

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 Feynman
WaterBlap Since: May, 2014
2018-06-19 09:40:20

It 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
Kuruni (Long Runner)
2018-06-19 10:46:13

So, I guess it would be better to split examples into two groups? Works and characters that are in public domain, and works that used public domain characters?

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