Nintendo Has Filed a Lawsuit Against Accessory Maker Genki for Switch 2 Trademark Infringement

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As Nintendo prepares for the June 5 debut of the Switch 2, it appears that the corporation has also initiated a legal action against Human Things, the parent company of accessory manufacturer Genki, in California. According to VGC, the lawsuit centers around accusations of unjust competition, trademark misuse, and deceptive advertising related to the promotion of accessories for the then-unannounced Switch 2, alleging they were advertised before the official announcement.

In simpler terms, Nintendo is filing a lawsuit against Defendant, arguing that they’ve suffered harm due to infringement, unjust competition, and misrepresentation in advertising. If successful, Nintendo seeks not only to recover these losses but also to have them tripled. In case of victory, Genki would be obligated to destroy all products related to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, as well as cease using Nintendo’s trademarks in the future.

Based on Nintendo’s statements, it appears that actions taken by the accessory maker since December might have been an attempt to create more confusion among the public about whether Genki had access to a potential Nintendo Switch 2 or any affiliation with Nintendo. In its lawsuit, Nintendo has outlined a series of events it considers as “misconduct” by Genki, starting from the official X account for Genki interacting with GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen’s post, and extending to the company’s participation at CES 2025 in January.

In a statement made by Nintendo, it is claimed that Genki’s CEO, Edward Tsai, exhibited misconduct by demonstrating 3D-printed prototypes to various journalists and asserting that Genki possessed or had access to a genuine “Switch 2” prototype, which served as the basis for the mockups, renderings, and 3D-printed models created by Genki. Nintendo further alleges in its lawsuit that their legal representatives attempted to contact Genki during CES 2025 while on the exhibition floor.

At CES 2025, Genki displayed a variety of products on the show floor that they intended to introduce when Nintendo launched the Switch 2. Although Nintendo hadn’t officially announced the console or its specifics at that time, Genki exhibited several accessories such as cases for the console and grip designs for what would later be unveiled as the Joy-Con 2 controllers.

Genki’s accessories suggested that the upcoming Switch 2 might be bigger than the initial Switch model. Later, Nintendo officially revealed this when they introduced the new console at the end of January. The accessories Genki displayed also featured a controller charging dock.

As a gamer, I was buzzing with excitement when rumors swirled that I had a sneak peek at the Switch 2 prototype. However, later on, Genki, the accessory maker, admitted that their designs were based on leaks about the console, not actual knowledge of the device itself. In January, they clarified that they hadn’t laid eyes on the Switch 2 yet, so any info they had about it should be taken with a grain of salt. Genki humbly acknowledged, “Only Nintendo can confirm if our Switch accessories will work with the upcoming Switch 2.”

Nintendo has initiated global pre-orders for the Switch 2, and the reaction has been substantial. In Japan alone, over two million enthusiasts registered through a lottery system for a chance to purchase the console at its launch. Pre-order difficulties have also been reported by buyers in the United States and Canada.

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2025-05-05 15:11