A24 has released a statement to address a series of copyright takedown notices that have impacted fan-made content related to the popular Backrooms internet horror phenomenon. The clarification comes after Kane Parsons, the director of the recent A24 film adaptation of The Backrooms, pledged to investigate the issue.
In an Instagram post on July 17, A24 explained their position, stating that The Backrooms exists within a broad ecosystem of creative works. "As Kane Parsons has made clear, Backrooms is one part of an infinitely bigger ecosystem, rife with creatives who have every right to tell their own version of the story," the studio wrote. They confirmed that an automated claim targeting Redbubble listings was submitted on behalf of A24 and the Backrooms movie, but that the company has initiated the process to reverse it. A24 emphasized that they do not claim ownership of the original yellow wallpaper concept or any derivative community works built around it, and intend to continue supporting the artists inspired by the concept.
This intervention follows a period of frustration for many Backrooms fans and creators. Independent game developers reported their Backrooms-inspired titles being removed from platforms like the Google Play store, while artists had liminal office space artwork taken down from Redbubble, with notices citing "A24 LLC."
Parsons had previously addressed these concerns on Reddit and his Discord server. He suggested that the takedown notices likely stemmed from internal miscommunication and third-party system errors, particularly concerning the Redbubble items. He posited that other similar notices across different platforms were coincidental and not indicative of a widespread copyright enforcement effort by A24. "They’re very much on the side of the community over here," Parsons stated, asserting that A24 has consistently aimed to protect the community's creative freedom.
The A24 film adaptation of The Backrooms achieved significant box office success, grossing $375 million against a $10 million budget. Critics praised its blend of visuals, character development, and integration of the Backrooms lore.