Funko Responds to Itch.io Shutdown Caused by BrandShield
Collectibles company Funko has issued a public statement regarding the temporary shutdown of the indie game marketplace Itch.io, an incident allegedly triggered by Funko's brand protection software, BrandShield.
Funko's X (formerly Twitter) post emphasizes their respect for the indie gaming community, stating, "We hold a deep respect and appreciation for indie games, indie gamers, and indie developers. We’re fans of fans, and we love the creativity and passion that define the indie gaming community."
The company acknowledged that BrandShield flagged an Itch.io page mimicking the Funko Fusion development website, leading to a takedown request. However, Funko explicitly stated they did not request a full platform takedown and expressed relief at Itch.io's swift restoration. They are now in private discussions with Itch.io to resolve the issue and appreciate the community's understanding.
Itch.io owner Leaf offered a different perspective on Hacker News, clarifying that 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 immediate action by Leaf to remove the offending page. Leaf also noted, though unmentioned in Funko's statement, that Funko's team contacted his mother.
For further details on the Itch.io shutdown, please refer to Game8's previous article.
