Summary
- Nintendo filed a lawsuit against Genki for creating a Switch 2 replica shown at CES 2025.
- Genki's promotion of Switch 2 accessories before Nintendo's reveal has now led to legal action.
- Nintendo's legal team demanded that Genki cease advertising accessories for the Switch or Switch 2.
A court filing by Nintendo has revealed that the company is going after accessory maker Genki for revealing some Switch 2 details before the console's reveal. Nintendo is suing Genki for alleged trademark infringement, false advertising, and unfair competition over claims made by the latter regarding Switch 2 peripherals it planned to sell for the upcoming system.
During CES 2025 in January, Genki gained some notoriety after the accessory maker claimed it had an "exact" physical replica of the Switch 2 console before it was revealed later that month. The replica that Genki shared behind closed doors was consistent with leaks about the Switch 2 circulating at the time, including the magnetic Joy-Con 2 detachment system and the dimensions of the system. Due to the buzz Genki was getting from its Switch 2 replica, Nintendo's legal team visited Genki's CES booth to confront the accessory maker about it. Following the meeting, Genki closed up its CES booth one day before the annual trade show concluded.
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Months later, the saga between Nintendo and Genki reached a breaking point for the former. According to a court filing with the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Nintendo of America is suing Genki, also known as Human Things, for false advertising, trademark infringement, and unfair competition over the Switch 2 replica that was shown off at CES before the console's first official reveal.
Nintendo Is Suing Accessory Maker Genki Over Its Switch 2 Replica
- Nintendo filed a lawsuit against Genki with the US District Court for the Central District of California.
- The lawsuit claimed Genki infringed upon Nintendo's trademarks with a Switch 2 replica that was shown at CES 2025.
- Genki's CES 2025 claims garnered attention from fans and media outlets, prompting a visit from Nintendo's attorneys.
- Nintendo's lawsuit against Genki is pending approval from a judge.
Nintendo claimed the actions of Genki CEO Eddie Tsai on social media and Genki's subsequent promotion of Switch 2 accessories before and after the console's reveal violated Nintendo's trademarks over the system. In short, Nintendo's legal team requests that Genki stop promoting, selling, or making advertisements for its accessories made for the Switch or Switch 2.
[Switch 2] Nintendo is suing accessory maker Genki, the company that showed off a mockup of the Switch 2 at their CES 2025 booth before the console's official reveal. Nintendo alleges that Genki violated their trademarks. — OatmealDome (@oatmealdome.bsky.social) 2025-05-03T16:12:05.3008271Z
In its lawsuit, Nintendo claimed that Genki deliberately released a "Genki Direct" video to promote its Switch 2 accessories on April 2, the same day that Nintendo fully revealed the Switch 2's June 5 release date alongside games like Mario Kart World. While the Genki Direct in question currently holds over 10,000 views on YouTube, the April 2 Nintendo Direct has garnered over 6.5 million views in the same span. Nintendo's case against Genki is pending approval from a judge as of this writing.
With victories over sharehosting websites and Switch pirates under its belt, Nintendo continues to flex its legal muscle. Only time will tell how the newly filed case between Nintendo and Genki will go.
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