A24 Films is issuing copyright strikes against independent creators making Backrooms content, despite the production company having no ownership stake in the genre. Multiple creators report receiving takedown notices from "A24 Films LLC" targeting fan art, games, and other Backrooms-inspired work across platforms like Reddit and YouTube.
The Backrooms phenomenon originated as a creepypasta and evolved into a grassroots community of horror creators producing games, art, and fiction set in liminal, unsettling environments. The genre has no single copyright holder. A24, riding high from releasing a major theatrical Backrooms film this year, appears to be aggressively protecting what it perceives as its intellectual property interests, despite the fact that Backrooms content predates any official A24 involvement.
Creator GnarlyNet documented their experience on r/backrooms, detailing how their fan artwork triggered a copyright claim from A24. Other affected creators echo similar stories. The strikes target derivative works and fan creations that pose zero commercial threat to A24's theatrical release.
This action highlights a growing tension in Hollywood. Established studios weaponize copyright law to dominate emerging internet subcultures and monetize grassroots communities. A24 appears to be leveraging its film release to retroactively claim authority over a decentralized creative ecosystem that thrived independently for years.
Independent creators face real consequences. Strikes accumulate toward channel termination on YouTube. Social media platforms enforce claims without scrutiny. Creators lack the legal resources to fight back against a major corporation with deep pockets.
The irony cuts sharp. The Backrooms aesthetic thrives on collective creation and community participation. A24's legal aggression contradicts the collaborative spirit that birthed the genre. Whether courts would side with A24 remains uncertain. Fair use protections for transformative works exist, but fighting corporate takedowns requires time and