Steam Machine’s Unlicensed Companion Cube Canceled, Dbrand Owns Up To Huge Mistake

Accessory maker Dbrand announced in November 2025 that it would create a Portal-themed Companion Cube case for Valve’s newly released Steam Machine. The concept generated significant interest, with over 15,000 people signing up for notifications. When preorders launched, the product became Dbrand’s second-fastest selling item in its 15-year history.

However, there was a critical problem: Dbrand never obtained permission from Valve to create the product. When Valve’s legal team discovered the unauthorized use of its Companion Cube intellectual property, the company shut down the project. Dbrand removed the product from its website, made the promotional video private, and issued full refunds to customers who had preordered.

In a statement addressing the situation, Dbrand took responsibility for the misstep. “We made the Companion Cube without a license from Valve,” the company said, adding “We’re going to regret that decision for a very long time.” The candid admission and swift resolution contrasted with typical corporate responses, as Dbrand acknowledged the error rather than attempting to dispute Valve’s claims.

The incident serves as a cautionary tale about intellectual property rights in the accessories market. While third-party manufacturers frequently create skins and cases for gaming devices, doing so without explicit permission from the IP holder can result in legal action and product cancellations. Dbrand’s experience highlights the importance of securing licensing agreements before manufacturing products based on copyrighted or trademarked designs.

Steam Machine’s Unlicensed Companion Cube Canceled, Dbrand Owns Up To Huge Mistake

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