Nintendo Sues Genki Over Switch 2 Trademark Infringement Following CES Mockup Reveal

Nintendo Sues Genki Over Switch 2 Trademark Infringement Following CES Mockup Reveal In the lead-up to the highly anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, the gaming industry has been abuzz with leaks, speculation, and insider tidbits.

This excitement reached a boiling point during CES 2025, when accessory manufacturer Genki displayed a model of the yet-to-be-revealed Nintendo Switch 2 at their booth.

Now, in a decisive legal move, Nintendo has filed a lawsuit against Genki, citing trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising. The legal action comes at a critical time as fan interest in the Nintendo Switch 2 reaches its peak.

According to court documents surfaced by independent researcher OatmealDome on the social network Bluesky, Nintendo has laid out its case against Genki in full.

The documentation claims that Genki began promoting accessories allegedly designed for the Nintendo Switch 2 as early as January 2025, prior to any official acknowledgment of the system's existence by Nintendo.

Despite Genki's bold marketing at CES, Nintendo asserts that the manufacturer was never given access to the console, and Genki later clarified that the displayed model was not sourced through official means. "Nintendo alleges that Genki engaged in trademark infringement and deceptive advertising practices by publicly showcasing a mockup of the Switch 2 and marketing accessories for an unreleased product," summarizing the claims documented in the lawsuit.

The Japanese gaming giant maintains strict control over its intellectual property, and this incident is viewed as a significant breach of that protocol. Genki's initial assertion that it possessed access to the Nintendo Switch 2, later walking back the claim, forms a central part of Nintendo's lawsuit.

The situation underscores the intense level of secrecy surrounding new hardware, as well as the risks accessory manufacturers face when moving ahead of official announcements. The Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled for global release next month, continuing Nintendo's legacy of successful hardware innovation following the major success of the original Nintendo Switch, which surpassed 125 million units sold worldwide as of February 2024.

The upcoming system is poised to further expand Nintendo's portfolio, with new eShop gift card designs and digital content delivery updates already being rolled out in advance of the launch. Meanwhile, this legal development serves as a cautionary tale for third-party companies in the gaming accessories market.

As the Switch 2 prepares to debut, manufacturers are reminded of the potential consequences of engaging in unauthorized marketing or misrepresentation of access to unreleased hardware.

Nintendo’s legal action against Genki is a clear statement reinforcing the company's dedication to protecting its branding and the integrity of its console ecosystem. Stay tuned for further Nintendo Switch 2 coverage and updates on this evolving legal dispute as the official launch approaches.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Switch Genki Xbox Series X|S CES 2025 CES