A24’s reputation is on the line with the SCP Foundation movie

A24 cannot claim exclusive rights to its SCP Foundation film, meaning anyone could legally distribute or stream it.

A24 is facing backlash for its planned V/H/S horror anthology film set in the SCP Foundation universe, with the SCP community expressing that the studio has not contacted them. The SCP Foundation operates under a Creative Commons ShareAlike license (CC BY-SA 3.0), which permits derivative works but requires them to be released under the same terms, including attribution and no exclusive distribution rights. This licensing presents a significant challenge for traditional film distribution and monetization, as A24 cannot claim exclusive rights to the material. The studio has reportedly attempted to clarify that their rights pertain only to the specific film project, but under the CC BY-SA license, this assertion is legally problematic. The SCP Foundation Wiki has stated they have made multiple attempts to contact A24 without response, and legal experts suggest that an unauthorized adaptation could be deemed infringing, potentially leading to the project's demise.

The core issue lies in A24's apparent disregard for the SCP Foundation's Creative Commons ShareAlike licensing. This license fundamentally prevents exclusive ownership and requires any derivative works to be shared under the same open terms. As a result, A24's ability to monetize the film through traditional theatrical exclusivity or exclusive streaming deals is severely compromised, potentially rendering the business model impractical.

This situation signals a potential conflict between established studio practices and the ethos of open-source creative communities. A24's previous issues with copyright claims on 'Backrooms' content further complicate its approach to fan-generated IPs. The studio must now navigate a complex legal and community landscape, with possible outcomes ranging from abandoning the SCP branding to releasing the film under terms that preclude traditional commercial exclusivity, risking significant financial implications.