Funko has issued a statement regarding the temporary shutdown of Itch.io, allegedly caused by their brand protection software, BrandShield. The statement, posted on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizes Funko's respect for the indie gaming community.
Funko's Clarification and Ongoing Dialogue
Funko acknowledges that BrandShield flagged an Itch.io page mimicking the Funko Fusion development website, resulting in a takedown request. Crucially, Funko clarifies they did not request a complete takedown of Itch.io and expressed relief at the platform's swift restoration.
Funko is now in private discussions with Itch.io to address the issue and appreciates the community's understanding while the situation is resolved.
However, Itch.io's owner, Leaf, provided further context on Hacker News, revealing the takedown stemmed from a "fraud and phishing report" sent to both the hosting provider and registrar. The registrar's automated system responded by taking down the entire domain, despite Leaf's immediate action to remove the offending page. Leaf also noted, unmentioned in Funko's statement, that Funko's team contacted his mother.
For a more comprehensive account of the Itch.io shutdown, refer to Game8's previous article.
