The Steam Machine just launched with one of the most eye-catching accessories in recent memory, but that excitement is already over. Dbrand has officially canceled its Portal Companion Cube enclosure for the device following a cease-and-desist request from Valve.
The rise and fall of the Companion Cube case
Dbrand initially teased the concept on November 12, 2025, coinciding with the Steam Machine announcement. The design transformed the compact gaming PC into a replica of the iconic Weighted Companion Cube from Valve’s Portal series. Interest was immediate, with over 15,000 sign-ups in the first 24 hours.
After seven months of development, Dbrand launched the $99 enclosure on Monday, June 22. It quickly became the second-fastest selling product in the company’s 15-year history, trailing only its Switch 2 Killswitch accessory. However, the success was short-lived.
Valve enforces intellectual property rights
Shortly after launch, Valve’s legal team contacted Dbrand. The company acknowledged that it had built and sold the product without securing a license for Valve’s intellectual property. In a statement posted to Reddit, Dbrand admitted: “The blunt version is that we made the Companion Cube without a license from Valve.”
Valve requested the immediate removal of the product listings and promotional materials. Dbrand complied, describing Valve’s approach as “direct, fair, and respectful.” The company noted that while they were proud of the design, pride does not grant legal rights to use copyrighted assets.
Refunds issued to all customers
Dbrand confirmed that refunds are being processed for everyone who purchased the Companion Cube case. Customers should see the funds return to their accounts by the end of the week. The company apologized to fans for the disappointment, stating, “We’re going to regret that decision for a very long time.”
Dbrand attempted to negotiate a retroactive license with Valve, but the request was denied. The company accepted this outcome, noting that building first and asking permission later was a mistake on their part.
What this means for you
If you ordered the Companion Cube case, expect a full refund. If you were hoping to customize your Steam Machine with this specific design, those options are now gone. This incident highlights the strict boundaries around official hardware accessories and intellectual property licensing, even for third-party partners like Dbrand.
Source: Windows Central
Over to you: Do you think Valve should have licensed the design given Dbrand’s track record, or is strict IP enforcement necessary?
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