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by 0xcde4c3db
1043 days ago
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Copyright generally doesn't cover broad plot structure or tropes, especially components that are considered characteristic of a genre (scènes à faire). Where it gets tricky is deciding when a particular arrangement of plot points and tropes is close enough to be infringing. The lines between rip-off, homage, parody, subversion, and (sub)genre (re)invention aren't especially bright or sharp. As with many other things, how much you can get away with seems to heavily depend on industry influence/standing. I don't think too many people other than Mel Brooks could have made Spaceballs happen, for example. |
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Copyright doesn't cover specific plot structure either. Compare The Sword of Shannara to The Fellowship of the Ring.
You can make a page-for-page copy of a book with the names changed and you're fine as far as copyright goes.