Funko has issued a public statement following the temporary shutdown of the indie game marketplace Itch.io, which was attributed to actions taken by its brand protection software. Here's what Funko had to say about the incident.
Funko Clarified That They Did Not Request Full Takedown
Now In Private Talks With Itch.io
Funko, known for its collectibles, took to its official X (Twitter) account to address the Itch.io takedown. The company expressed their admiration for indie games, 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."
They further explained that their brand protection partner, BrandShield, had identified an Itch.io page that was "imitating the Funko Fusion development website." This led to a targeted takedown request for that specific page. Funko emphasized that they did not request a takedown of the entire Itch.io platform and were pleased to see the site restored by morning.
Funko also mentioned that they have initiated private discussions with Itch.io to resolve the issue, expressing gratitude for the gaming community's understanding as they work through the details.
However, Itch.io’s owner, Leaf, provided additional context on Hacker News, describing the incident as more severe than a simple takedown request. He referred to it as a "fraud and phishing report" that was escalated to both the site’s host and registrar. The registrar's automated system took down the entire domain, despite Leaf's swift action to remove the offending content. Additionally, Funko’s team reportedly reached out to Leaf’s mother, a detail not mentioned in Funko's statement.
For a deeper dive into the Itch.io shutdown, check out Game8’s comprehensive article on the subject.
