Dbrand cancels unlicensed Portal-themed Steam Machine accessory
Dbrand said it will refund buyers after Valve asked it to remove a Companion Cube accessory made without Valve’s permission.
By Hana Yoshida · Markets Reporter
2 min read
Dbrand is canceling its Portal-themed Steam Machine Companion Cube and refunding customers after Valve objected to the unlicensed product. The decision matters for buyers who placed early orders and for companies building accessories around Valve’s newly revived Steam Machine hardware push.
Dbrand said Monday that it had made the accessory without a license from Valve. According to Dbrand, Valve’s legal team contacted the company and asked it to remove both the product listing and the promotional launch film.
The company said it complied with Valve’s request. Dbrand also said it asked Valve about making an officially licensed version, but Valve declined.
Preorders opened, then the product vanished
The Verge reported that Dbrand first announced the Steam Machine Companion Cube in November as an accessory inspired by Portal, Valve’s puzzle-game series. The Verge also reported that Dbrand opened preorders on June 22.
A few days after preorders began, The Verge reported that the product was no longer available on Dbrand’s website and that the teaser video for it had been made private. According to The Verge, those changes followed contact from Valve.
Dbrand said the accessory quickly became one of its strongest launches. The company described it as the second-fastest-selling product in its 15-year history, behind only its Switch 2 Killswitch product.
Dbrand says Valve was within its rights
Dbrand said Valve’s request was legitimate and described Valve’s handling of the issue as direct and respectful. The company said its problem was that it created and sold the accessory first and sought approval afterward.
Dbrand’s statement framed the cancellation as the result of that approach. The company said Valve gave a fair answer when it rejected the request for an official license after the takedown.
According to Dbrand, refunds for customers who bought the Companion Cube are starting Monday. The company also apologized to Valve and said it should have sought permission before making the product.
Valve has not been reported as offering a public statement beyond the takedown request described by Dbrand and The Verge. The cancellation leaves Dbrand’s Steam Machine Companion Cube unavailable, with buyers set to receive their money back instead of the Portal-themed accessory.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.