Funko has issued a statement regarding the temporary suspension of the Itch.io indie game marketplace, allegedly triggered by its brand protection software. Let's delve into Funko's response.
Funko's Response and Ongoing Dialogue with Itch.io
Funko's official X (formerly Twitter) account addressed the situation, expressing its strong support for the indie gaming community. They acknowledged that their brand protection partner, BrandShield, flagged an Itch.io page mimicking the Funko Fusion development website, leading to a takedown request. However, Funko emphasized that they did not request a complete shutdown of Itch.io and were relieved the platform was quickly restored.
Funko confirmed they are now in direct communication with Itch.io to resolve the matter and appreciate the community's understanding while the situation is clarified.
Itch.io's owner, Leaf, provided further context on Hacker News, revealing the incident involved a "fraud and phishing report," not just a simple takedown request. This report was sent to both Itch.io's host and registrar, resulting in the automated takedown of the entire domain despite Leaf's immediate action to remove the problematic page. Leaf also noted, unmentioned in Funko's statement, that Funko's team contacted his mother.
For a more detailed account of the Itch.io shutdown, refer to Game8's previous report.
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