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

Funko Responds to Itch.io Shutdown Caused by BrandShield

Funko has issued a public statement regarding the temporary shutdown of the Itch.io indie game marketplace, allegedly triggered by its brand protection software, BrandShield. The company emphasized its respect for the indie gaming community and clarified its role in the incident.

Funko's X (formerly Twitter) post stated that BrandShield flagged an Itch.io page mimicking the Funko Fusion development website, resulting in a takedown request. However, Funko explicitly denied requesting a complete platform takedown and expressed relief at Itch.io's swift restoration.

The company confirmed direct communication with Itch.io to address the situation and thanked the gaming community for its understanding.

Further Details from Itch.io's Owner

Itch.io's owner, Leaf, provided additional context on Hacker News, revealing the takedown wasn't a simple request but rather a "fraud and phishing report" submitted 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 that Funko's team contacted his mother, a detail omitted from Funko's official statement.

For a comprehensive account of the Itch.io shutdown, refer to Game8's previous article.