We're following a messy set of claims about copyright takedowns that, if true, suggest a major studio may be overreaching into community-made Backrooms content. Per Kotaku, multiple creators say A24 Films LLC has been issuing copyright claims against Backrooms-themed artwork and indie games—works that some creators insist predate A24’s film and the studio’s own merchandise.
What Was Reported
According to Kotaku, an artist posting as GnarlyNet on the r/backrooms subreddit says a copyright strike from A24 Films LLC removed Backrooms-inspired wallpaper artwork from Redbubble. The artist maintains their piece was based on the “original 2019 Backrooms image” and “not copied from A24’s film or merchandise.”
Kotaku also reports a separate claim from indie developer Davilkus Games, who says their Google Play developer account was banned after receiving three copyright strikes. That team says a game originally titled Exit the Backrooms: Level 94 had to be renamed to Liminal Complex: Level 94 for violating Google’s “impersonation policy.”
Per the reporting, Davilkus Games claims a “silent ban wave” on Google Play on the morning of July 3rd affected their account and at least “3 other small indie devs” while leaving “bigger studios with Backrooms games” apparently untouched. A separate Reddit poster shared more examples of Backrooms-inspired artwork removed from Redbubble, and social posts circulated showing takedowns.
The Source & Credibility
Take this with a pinch of salt: the core allegations here are based on statements from affected creators and community posts, as highlighted by Kotaku. The studio’s director, Kane Parsons, is quoted on the initial Reddit thread saying he is “looking into this” and that it “should not be happening,” which at least indicates A24 is aware of the complaints.
What Kotaku Has And Hasn’t Confirmed
- Kotaku reports the creators’ claims and the quoted responses from Kane Parsons.
- Kotaku also says it reached out to A24 for comment but “did not receive a reply before publishing.”
- The provenance of the Backrooms concept is noted in the reporting as originally shared in a 2019 4chan thread and including an image from an independent photographer taken in 2002.
That mix of community posts, direct quotes from a film director, and the absence of an official studio reply means the story sits in an uncertain space—allegations have nuance, and public-facing confirmation from the studio is missing so far.
What It Could Mean
If the claims are accurate, this situation could have several concrete consequences for small creators. Per the reporting, at least one developer’s Google Play account was banned after receiving three strikes, and multiple Redbubble listings were removed. That pattern, if replicated wider, would risk silencing independent art and small-game distribution tied to the Backrooms concept.
Another possible implication is the chilling effect on creators reusing or riffing on community-originated concepts. The Backrooms concept was flagged in the reporting as originating in a 2019 thread and with an older photo from 2002 underpinning that lore—so the question of what can legitimately be claimed by any single company is not straightforward.
That said, some content—images and video taken from A24’s film—would belong to the studio, per the reporting. The reported complaints hinge on whether takedowns targeted content directly derived from the film or material the community says predates it. The distinction matters a lot for creators and stores enforcing copyright and impersonation policies.
Why This Matters
This matters for anyone making or hosting indie games and fan art. If platforms apply copyright or impersonation rules based on takedown notices that creators dispute, small teams risk losing distribution and income. The reported episode underlines how quickly automated or manual copyright enforcement can impact an indie developer’s ability to stay visible and active on storefronts.
For readers: take the claims as reported but not yet fully verified. We’re watching this closely—especially given Kane Parsons’s comment that he’s “looking into this” and that it “should not be happening,” and that Kotaku reportedly did not receive a reply from A24 before publishing. If true, the situation raises serious questions about how intellectual property claims are being applied to community-originated works and the safeguards available to small creators.
