Full Breakdown
A24’s Copyright Takedowns Spark Backrooms Community Backlash
7/17/2026, 8:09:40 PM
Core Event: A24’s Copyright Claims Against Fan-Created Backrooms Art
In mid-July 2024, the studio A24 Films LLC issued copyright-infringement notices that led Redbubble and other platforms to remove fan-made Backrooms artwork. The takedowns targeted a simple yellow-wallpaper pattern, illustrations of fluorescent-lit hallways, and a Backrooms-inspired office scene—works that creators say pre-date the studio’s 2026 feature film and were not derived from any official A24 assets.
Background & Context: From 4chan Photo to Box-Office Hit
The Backrooms concept originated with an anonymous 2019 4chan post depicting an empty storage room. Reddit communities expanded the image into a sprawling “liminal-space” mythology. Director Kane Parsons began posting found-footage-style Backrooms videos on YouTube in 2022, popularizing the aesthetic. A24 later financed Parsons’ feature adaptation, which opened with a $10 million budget and has earned more than $360 million, becoming the studio’s most successful release to date.
Key Figures & Groups
- Kane Parsons – Director of the A24 adaptation and original YouTube series.
- A24 Films LLC – Independent studio that produced the 2026 Backrooms film.
- Redbubble – Online marketplace that removed the disputed listings.
- Reddit users “GnarlyNet” and others – Creators who posted the affected artwork.
- Independent developers – One reported a Google Play takedown of a Backrooms-inspired game.
Timeline of the Dispute
- 2019 – Anonymous 4chan image launches the Backrooms legend.
- 2022 – Parsons releases Backrooms YouTube videos.
- 2026 – A24 releases the feature film, achieving $360 million worldwide.
- July 14, 2024 – Reddit user reports a takedown of non-wallpaper Backrooms art.
- July 15, 2024 – “GnarlyNet” posts that Redbubble removed a wallpaper pattern after a complaint from “A24 Films LLC.”
- Late July 2024 – Parsons comments on Reddit that he is investigating the strikes.
- Early August 2024 – A source tells ScreenCrush the claim was generated by an automated system and has been retracted.
Data & Statistics
- Production budget: $10 million.
- Box-office gross: over $360 million worldwide.
- A24’s biggest opening ever; Parsons became the studio’s youngest director to top the box office.
Official Statements & Responses
A24 has clarified that the Redbubble takedown was triggered by an automated copyright-filtering system rather than a deliberate request from studio executives, and the claim has since been withdrawn. The studio maintains ownership only over specific film elements—characters and the lore surrounding “Async”—and does not claim rights to the generic yellow-wallpaper aesthetic or fluorescent-light settings that define the broader Backrooms mythos.
Criticism & Opposition
Creators argue that A24’s actions threaten a collaborative internet folklore that predates the film. Community members contend the studio is attempting to “erase” the collective history and risk alienating the very fan base that made the property profitable.
On-the-Ground Reports
Reddit user “GnarlyNet” described the removal of a wallpaper pattern that “had nothing to do with Parsons’ 2026 horror adaptation.” Another user reported takedowns of hallway illustrations, and an indie developer said a Backrooms-inspired game was removed from Google Play for allegedly impersonating “The Backrooms” brand.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Some accounts attribute the takedowns directly to A24, while others, including a ScreenCrush source, suggest automated bots acted without studio oversight. The studio has not confirmed whether it issued any notices beyond the Redbubble incident, and the identity of the party behind the removal of the “Backrooms Online” fan account remains unknown.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’m looking into this. Should not be happening,” — Kane Parsons, Director
- “He later clarified in a separate Reddit comment that he had disputed the removal on the artist’s behalf, explaining that the artwork in question was recreated from the original 2019 Backrooms image rather than copied from anything tied to A24’s film or its merchandise.” — Kane Parsons, Reddit comment
- “Whatever they’re doing is ridiculous. The Backrooms belongs to all of us,” — Reddit user, r/Backrooms
- “I love the Backrooms movie so much and have supported it immensely. But if they continue on with this then I’m going to lose respect for A24,” — Reddit user, r/Backrooms
What’s Next
Parsons has pledged to continue advocating for affected creators, and A24 says it will review its automated enforcement procedures. No further legal actions or studio-issued takedowns have been announced as of early August 2024.
