Dbrand is canceling the Companion Cube because it didn’t actually ask Valve for permission

D Brand Announced on Monday It is refunding money to everyone who purchased the Steam Machine Companion Cube, which it said it made “without a license from Valve.” Dbrand announced outlet-Steam machine themed accessory In November Pre-orders are being taken for that Last Monday. But after a few days, the product has disappeared From the company’s website and the teaser promoting it was made private after Valve contacted the company.

Dbrand says the Companion Cube has become “the second fastest-selling product in our 15-year history, behind only the Switch 2 Killswitch” after it opened pre-orders on June 22. However, Valve’s legal team reached out to Dbrand and “asked us to remove the product and release the film immediately. This was completely within their rights, and they were direct, fair and respectful throughout.”

Dbrand says it complied and submitted a request to be able to make an officially licensed version, but Valve said no. “Given our backwards approach of building first and asking for permission later, it was a fair answer,” Debrand says.

Refunds will be issued starting today. “To Valve: Thank you for Portal, and sorry for the headache,” says Dbrand. “We should have asked first.”