It seems like it was a DMCA takedown request. Anyone can submit these to content hosters and the hoster has to follow the process, which typically means removing the content until it can be proven that it isnt violating copyright. The problem isn’t the takedown request, but that it was given to itch.io’s registrar instead of itch.io itself. It’d be like asking to takedown youtube from the web because someone reposted your video on it.
Comment on itch.io was taken down by Funko because of some automated brand protection service
hono4kami@pawb.social 3 months ago
Can someone explain? How does Funko have such ability?
ImplyingImplications@lemmy.ca 3 months ago
Blackmist@feddit.uk 3 months ago
Unmonitored automated systems can do a lot of damage.
Although maybe register important business domains with an actual large company you’ve heard of and not “iwantmyname”.
Baggie@lemmy.zip 3 months ago
It’s mainly a failure on the part of the register, if it’s automatically banning websites based on number of reports there’s a strong possibility this is going to keep happening, potentially for nefarious reasons.
This actually does happen a bit from time to time, it’s a bit of a weak point in the internet infrastructure.
brsrklf@jlai.lu 3 months ago
It’s definitely a huge failure on the registrar part, but I wouldn’t say “mainly”, because it makes it sound like it’s normal for a company to send random blanket claims in all directions just in case something sticks.
I’m sure it’s not what you meant, but there definitely needs to be some sort of penalty for bad actors (including massunsupervised automated claims).
Baggie@lemmy.zip 3 months ago
Well it kind of was what I was getting at in a way, though distribution of fault is pretty debatable. I think the majority of fault lies with the company putting a failable automated system into production for something this, but I can’t help but wonder if there is potential for abuse if this is all it takes for the registrar to delist a legitimate business.
Penalities would be a good start I think, like you mentioned. Business sometimes can only understand the language of money after all. It’s possible this is the exception to a system that functions quite well behind the scenes also.
I also appreciate the benefit of the doubt on this, it’s refreshing compared to the usual internet instant rage.