Dbrand announced on June 29, 2026, that it is refunding everyone who preordered its Steam Machine Companion Cube. The decision followed a legal notice from Valve regarding the unlicensed Portal-themed product.

The company confirmed it manufactured the Companion Cube "without a license from Valve." Dbrand had announced the Portal-themed accessory in November 2025 and began taking preorders on June 22, 2026. After Valve contacted Dbrand, the Companion Cube product was removed from Dbrand's website, and its teaser video was made private. Valve's legal team requested Dbrand take down the product and launch film immediately.

Dbrand stated the Companion Cube became "the second-fastest selling product in our 15-year history, behind only the Switch 2 Killswitch" after preorders opened. The company appealed to Valve to make an officially licensed version of the product, but Valve declined. Dbrand described Valve's communication as "direct, fair, and respectful throughout" the process. "Given our backwards approach of building first and asking permission later, it was a fair answer," Dbrand stated. The company also conveyed an apology to Valve, stating, "To Valve: thank you for Portal, and sorry for the headache."

Why It Matters

This situation involves the legal implications of developing and marketing products based on intellectual property without prior authorization. Dbrand's action of manufacturing and selling the Companion Cube without a license led to direct intervention from Valve's legal team. The company's subsequent decision to issue full refunds and remove the product demonstrates the consequences of copyright infringement claims.