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Backrooms Director Kane Parsons Promises He’s ‘Looking Into’ A24 Copyright Strikes on Fan Art
Backrooms director Kane Parsons has said he is "looking into" reports that A24, the studio behind the 2026 film adaptation, has issued copyright takedown notices against fans creating unofficial artwork and games inspired by the original Backrooms creepypasta. The dispute matters because it raises questions about whether a major studio is overreaching by targeting fan-made content tied to internet folklore that predates its own film, potentially setting a troubling precedent for other creepypasta properties now being adapted for the screen.
The controversy emerged after a Reddit user reported that a yellow wallpaper design they had posted on Redbubble, inspired by the original liminal-space image, was removed following a complaint from "A24 Films LLC." Others reported similar action, including a second Redbubble user whose Backrooms-themed artwork was taken down, and an indie developer whose Backrooms-inspired game was pulled from the Google Play store for allegedly impersonating the brand. Parsons responded directly on Reddit on 15 July, writing "I'm looking into this. Should not be happening," while fans have speculated the strikes may stem from an automated enforcement system rather than deliberate targeting.
In short
- A24 reportedly sent copyright strikes against Backrooms fan art and a fan game.
- Director Kane Parsons says he's investigating, calling it wrong.
- Fans suspect automated takedown tools, fuelling wider creepypasta-community concern.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A24 has a reasonable interest in protecting its film’s branding and original material from uses that could confuse audiences or trade on its work, and platforms may need to act when they receive rights complaints. Some reported removals may also reflect automated enforcement or mistaken claims rather than a deliberate policy against fans.
The case against
The Backrooms began as internet folklore before A24’s adaptation, so fans and independent creators have a strong case for continuing to make and share work inspired by that shared source. Broad takedowns of art or games that do not copy the film or mislead audiences could suppress legitimate creativity and let a studio claim practical control over a wider culture than its own rights cover.
Explained simply
The Backrooms began as internet folklore, a creepypasta describing a liminal, unsettling space filled with endless yellow-wallpapered corridors and fluorescent lighting. A24, the film studio, adapted this fan-created concept into a theatrical film released in 2026.
In recent weeks, fans have reported that A24 has issued copyright takedown notices against creators of fan-made artwork and games inspired by the Backrooms. These strikes have removed content from platforms such as Redbubble and the Google Play store, affecting independent artists and developers who were creating works based on the original internet phenomenon.
This dispute raises questions about whether established studios are overstepping by targeting fan content related to internet folklore that existed long before their own film adaptation. The situation could set an important precedent for how other studios handle fan communities around creepypasta properties they acquire for film or television.