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 its "deep respect and appreciation for indie games, indie gamers, and indie 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. Crucially, Funko clarified they did not request a complete shutdown of Itch.io and expressed relief at the platform's swift restoration.

Funko stated they've contacted Itch.io to discuss 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 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 entire domain's automated takedown, despite Leaf's immediate action to resolve the issue. Furthermore, Leaf's post notably omitted the detail of Funko's team contacting his mother.

For a more comprehensive understanding of the incident, refer to Game8's previous report on Itch.io's temporary shutdown.