A24 Is Reportedly Copyright-Striking Backrooms Content It Doesn’t Own
A24 Films has come under criticism for issuing copyright strikes against fan-created Backrooms content, raising questions about intellectual property enforcement in fan-driven creative spaces. The production company filed automated takedown notices targeting artists and indie developers who created Backrooms-inspired work, including a Redbubble user whose wallpaper design was derived from the original 2019 Backrooms creepypasta image rather than the A24 film. Indie game studio Davilkus Games was hit with three copyright strikes in July against its liminal horror game project.
The situation escalated when director Kane Parsons, who created the original Backrooms YouTube content and directed the A24 film, publicly promised to investigate the strikes. His response prompted A24 to issue an official statement on July 17 clarifying its position. The company acknowledged that an automated claim had been submitted on Redbubble without proper review and stated they were immediately working to reverse it and reinstate affected listings.
A24’s statement emphasized that “Backrooms is one part of an infinitely bigger ecosystem, rife with creatives who have every right to tell their own version of the story,” and explicitly stated that the company does not claim ownership over foundational elements like the yellow wallpaper aesthetic central to the franchise’s imagery. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between major studios protecting intellectual property and the fan communities that often built the cultural foundation for adapted works.