Funko Responds as Itch.io Recovers from Shut Down by AI-Powered Brandshield

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 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 developers. They confirmed that their brand protection partner, 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 complete platform takedown and expressed relief at Itch.io's swift restoration.

Funko further stated they are actively working with Itch.io to resolve the issue and thanked the gaming community for their understanding.

Itch.io's owner, Leaf, provided additional 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 shutdown of the entire domain, despite Leaf's immediate action to remove the offending page. Leaf also noted, though unmentioned in Funko's statement, that Funko's team contacted his mother.

For a more comprehensive overview of this event, refer to Game8's previous report on the Itch.io shutdown.