Funko has issued a statement regarding the temporary shutdown of Itch.io, allegedly caused by its brand protection software. Let's delve into Funko's response. Funko's Statement: No Full Takedown Requested
Private Discussions Underway with Itch.io
Funko's official X (formerly Twitter) account addressed the situation, expressing their "deep respect and appreciation for indie games, indie gamers, and indie developers." They acknowledged that their brand protection partner, BrandShield, flagged an Itch.io page mimicking the Funko Fusion development website, resulting in a takedown request. Crucially, Funko emphasized they did not request a takedown of the entire Itch.io platform and were relieved to see the site restored.
Funko confirmed they're in direct communication with Itch.io to resolve the matter, and thanked the gaming community for their understanding.
However, Itch.io's owner, Leaf, provided a different perspective on Hacker News. He clarified that the incident wasn't a simple takedown request, but a "fraud and phishing report" sent to both the hosting provider and registrar. The registrar's automated system reacted by taking down the entire domain, despite Leaf's swift action to remove the offending page. Leaf also noted, in contrast to Funko's statement, that Funko's team contacted his mother, a detail omitted from Funko's public statement.
For a more comprehensive account of the Itch.io shutdown, refer to Game8's previous report.
