Funko faced backlash after its AI-powered Brand Protection Software falsely flagged itch.io, leading to a temporary shutdown. The situation escalated when Funko allegedly contacted the mother of itch.io's founder, Leaf Corcoran, to complain about his public criticism. This move has been widely criticized as inappropriate and possibly illegal. Funko has yet to officially respond to these accusations, while the gaming community, including Devolver Digital, has shown support for Corcoran.
Itch.io, a popular indie game platform, was temporarily taken offline due to a takedown request from Funko, which was based on a "bogus phishing report" generated by an AI-powered brand protection software. Funko clarified that their request targeted a specific page imitating their development site, not the entire platform. The issue has since been resolved, with Itch.io back online and the disputed page removed. The incident highlights challenges in automated brand protection systems and their impact on online platforms.
Indie game marketplace itch.io was temporarily taken offline after collectible maker Funko and its AI brand protection tool, Brand Shield, filed a phishing report with the domain registrar, iwantmyname. The report was related to a fan page for the Funko Fusion video game, which led to the domain being disabled despite itch.io's compliance in removing the page. The issue was exacerbated by an automated system at the registrar, which did not acknowledge the resolution. Itch.io co-founder Leaf Corcoran criticized the actions as malicious, and the site has since been restored.
Indie game platform itch.io was taken offline after Funko allegedly filed a false phishing report using AI-powered brand protection software Brand Shield. Despite challenging the report, itch.io's domain was disabled by their registrar, leading to calls for legal action due to lost revenue. The incident has sparked frustration among developers and users who rely on the platform. Itch.io recently implemented a policy requiring developers to disclose the use of generative AI in their work.
Indie game platform Itch.io is currently offline due to a false phishing report generated by Funko's AI-powered Brand Protection Software, Brand Shield. This has led to the domain being disabled by the registrar, iwantmyname, despite the servers being operational. Users can temporarily access the site by modifying their hosts file, but this workaround is not ideal. The issue arose shortly after Itch.io allowed users to link their profiles to Bluesky accounts, causing further complications. Itch.io is working to resolve the domain issue swiftly.
The indie game platform itch.io has been taken offline due to a "bogus phishing report" allegedly filed by toy manufacturer Funko using AI-powered brand protection software. The report led itch.io's domain registrar to disable the entire site, despite the disputed page being removed. This outage affects over a million indie products, though previously downloaded DRM-free games remain accessible to users.
Funko has released new Marvel Must Haves merchandise featuring Mobius on a jet ski, allowing fans to relive the iconic moment from Marvel Studios' Loki. The collection also includes other products highlighting characters from the Time Variance Authority. Loki Season 2 is currently streaming on Disney+.
Funko, the popular maker of Pop figurines, is now offering a new feature called Pop! Yourself, which allows customers to design a Pop figure in their own image. The online customization tool lets users choose their skin tone, hairstyle, clothes, accessories, and even add a pet. Each figurine costs $30 and will be shipped to the customer. Funko plans to expand the options for Pop! Yourself creators, including sports logos and cosplay costumes. The company hopes this direct-to-consumer initiative, along with other cost reduction measures, will help it rebound in 2024.
A rare Golden Ticket Funko Pop 2-Pack, featuring Willy Wonka and an Oompa Loompa, sold for a controversial $210,000, more than double its original purchase price. The limited edition collectible was part of a mystery box lottery and is considered one of the most valuable Funko artifacts due to its rarity, franchise, and lore. While some see it as a sign of the maturing rare Funko collecting market, others criticize the high-stakes transactions for undermining the integrity of the hobby.
Funko collector Junot Ignacio traded six rare 'Freddy Venom' Funko Pops for two 2023 Cadillac Escalades, each valued at over $80,000. Ignacio had cornered the market on the rare Pops, driving up prices and angering some in the Funko community. He had previously sold some of the Pops for as much as $30,000 each. The trade has sparked both awe and criticism in the community, with some seeing it as market manipulation and a detriment to the hobby.
Images have emerged of unopened boxes of Funko Pop! figures, worth $30 million, at dumps and landfills after the pop culture collectible company announced it was going to throw them away due to overstocking. Before being dumped, the boxes are shredded and sorted for recycling or landfill. Funko has been paying high rental fees to store additional stock in shipping containers until it can find space for them. The move to trash them is apparently cheaper than finding storage space. The wastefulness and corporate greed at the expense of consumers has been criticised.
Funko-owned pop culture label Mondo has laid off the majority of its staff, leaving the future of its poster business uncertain. The move comes as Funko restructures its business to focus on its core products, including collectible figurines and board games. Mondo, known for its limited-edition posters and vinyl soundtracks, has been hit hard by the pandemic, with many of its usual revenue streams, such as conventions and screenings, disrupted.
