Funko has issued a statement regarding the temporary shutdown of Itch.io, allegedly caused by their brand protection software, BrandShield. Let's delve into Funko's response.
Funko's Public Statement and Private Discussions
Funko's official X (formerly Twitter) account addressed the situation, expressing their respect for the indie gaming community and their creators. They confirmed that BrandShield flagged an Itch.io page mimicking a Funko Fusion development site, leading to a takedown request. Crucially, Funko clarified they didn't request a site-wide takedown and welcomed Itch.io's swift restoration. They're now in direct communication with Itch.io to resolve the matter.
However, Itch.io's owner, Leaf, offered a more nuanced account on Hacker News. He revealed the incident wasn't a simple takedown request but a "fraud and phishing report" impacting both the host and registrar. The registrar's automated system reacted by taking down the entire domain, despite Leaf's immediate action. Leaf also noted (unmentioned in Funko's statement) that Funko's team contacted his mother.
For a complete understanding of the incident, refer to Game8's previous coverage of Itch.io's shutdown.
