Nintendo is taking legal action against third-party accessory maker Genki (also known as Human Things) for allegedly violating multiple trademark laws and falsely advertising products tied to the upcoming Switch 2 console. The lawsuit, filed with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, stems from Genki’s unveiling of a near-exact Switch 2 replica at CES 2025, before Nintendo’s official announcement of the device.
The CES 2025 Controversy
In January 2025, during the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Genki privately displayed what it claimed was an “exact” physical replica of the Nintendo Switch 2, complete with design details like a magnetic Joy-Con 2 detachment system and accurate system dimensions. The replica closely matched information from circulating leaks at the time and gained significant attention across fan communities and media outlets.
[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) May 3, 2025 at 11:12 PM
This buzz caught Nintendo’s attention. According to court documents, Nintendo’s legal team confronted Genki at their CES booth, prompting the company to shut down their exhibit a day early. The incident appeared to simmer down—until now.
Official Lawsuit Filed
Months later, Nintendo has escalated the matter into a full-blown lawsuit. The court filing linked here outlines multiple claims, including:
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Trademark infringement over the use of protected Nintendo branding.
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False advertising related to Switch 2 accessories.
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Unfair competition, citing misleading marketing practices.
Nintendo is also targeting Genki CEO Eddie Tsai, citing posts on social media and promotional efforts that may have misled consumers into believing Genki’s products were officially endorsed or connected to Nintendo.
What Nintendo Wants
Nintendo’s legal team is requesting a court injunction to prevent Genki from:
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Promoting or selling Switch 2 accessories.
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Advertising any products using Nintendo trademarks.
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Distributing replicas or images of unreleased Nintendo hardware.
The lawsuit is currently pending judicial approval, but it signals a strong warning to accessory makers about preemptively revealing or developing products for unreleased hardware.
What’s Next?
Neither Genki nor Eddie Tsai has released a public response to the lawsuit. However, this legal battle could serve as a major precedent in the gaming industry for how far third-party companies can go in leveraging leaked or unofficial product information. As the case unfolds, the gaming community will be watching closely to see how this high-profile dispute plays out.