Funko has issued a statement regarding the temporary suspension of the Itch.io platform, allegedly triggered by its brand protection software. Let's delve into Funko's response.

Funko's Clarification: No Full Platform Takedown Requested

Funko's official X (formerly Twitter) account addressed the situation, emphasizing their respect for the indie gaming community and its developers. They admitted that their brand protection partner, BrandShield, flagged an Itch.io page mimicking the Funko Fusion development website, resulting in a takedown request. Crucially, Funko stressed they did not request a takedown of the entire Itch.io platform and expressed relief at its swift restoration.

Funko confirmed direct communication with Itch.io to resolve the matter and thanked the gaming community for their understanding.

However, Itch.io's owner, Leaf, provided a more nuanced account on Hacker News. He revealed the incident wasn't a simple takedown request but a "fraud and phishing report" impacting both the hosting provider and registrar. The registrar's automated system reacted by taking down the entire domain, despite Leaf's immediate action to rectify the problem. Leaf also noted, unmentioned in Funko's statement, that Funko's team contacted his mother.

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