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

Funko has issued a statement regarding the temporary shutdown of Itch.io, reportedly caused by its brand protection software, BrandShield. Let's delve into Funko's response.

Funko and Itch.io in Private Discussions

Funko's official X (formerly Twitter) account addressed the incident, emphasizing its respect for the indie game community. They confirmed that BrandShield flagged an Itch.io page mimicking a Funko Fusion development site, leading to a takedown request. Crucially, Funko clarified that they didn't request the entire platform's takedown and expressed relief at Itch.io's swift restoration.

Funko stated they're now in direct communication with Itch.io to resolve the matter and thanked the gaming community for its understanding.

However, Itch.io's owner, Leaf, provided a more nuanced account on Hacker News. He revealed the action 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 immediate action to remove the offending page. Leaf also noted, unmentioned in Funko's statement, that Funko's team contacted his mother.

For a comprehensive overview of the incident, refer to Game8's previous report on Itch.io's temporary closure.