Funko has issued a statement regarding the temporary suspension of the Itch.io platform, allegedly triggered by their brand protection software. Let's delve into Funko's response.
Funko and Itch.io in Private Discussions
Funko's official X (formerly Twitter) account addressed the situation, emphasizing their respect for the indie gaming community and its creators. They confirmed that their brand protection partner, BrandShield, flagged an Itch.io page mimicking the Funko Fusion development website, resulting in a takedown request. Crucially, Funko clarified they did not request a site-wide takedown and expressed relief at Itch.io's swift restoration.
Funko stated they're now in direct communication with Itch.io to resolve the matter and appreciate the community's understanding.
However, Itch.io's owner, Leaf, provided a more nuanced account on Hacker News. He described the incident not merely as a takedown request, but as a "fraud and phishing report" submitted to both the hosting provider and domain registrar. The registrar's automated system reacted by taking down the entire domain, despite Leaf's immediate action to remove the offending page. Furthermore, Leaf's account, omitted from Funko's statement, mentions contact from Funko's team to his mother.
For a comprehensive overview of the Itch.io shutdown, refer to Game8's previous report.