Dbrand’s Steam Machine Companion Cube is canceled
Dbrand has canceled its unlicensed Portal-themed 'Companion Cube' accessory for the Steam Machine following legal intervention from Valve. The company is issuing full refunds to customers who preordered the product.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the tension between third-party accessory makers and intellectual property holders in the gaming industry.
Dbrand announced Monday that it’s refunding everyone who bought its Steam Machine Companion Cube, which it said it made “without a license from Valve.” Dbrand announced the Portal-themed Steam Machine accessory in November and took preorders for it last Monday. But a few days later, the product had disappeared from the company’s website and the teaser video promoting it had been made private after Valve contacted the company.
The article reports on a business dispute and product cancellation based on public statements from both parties.
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