Accessory maker Genki has reached a settlement with Nintendo over a trademark infringement lawsuit, after being sued for mishandling sensitive information.
Earlier this year, Nintendo filed suit against Genki for showcasing 3D-printed models of the Nintendo Switch 2 before the company’s official announcement.
The lawsuit accused Genki’s parent company, Human Things, of trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising. Both parties have now reached a settlement, avoiding further trial proceedings.
As part of the settlement, Genki must compensate Nintendo for damages caused by the premature leak, though the specific amount has not been disclosed and was agreed upon privately.
In addition, Genki and all subsidiaries of Human Things are permanently prohibited from using any Nintendo trademarks, designs, or similar elements. This includes the names “Nintendo,” “Switch,” “Switch 2,” and “Joy-Con.” The company is also banned from selling any accessories that do not clearly state “Genki is an unauthorized accessory manufacturer.”
Genki is further prohibited from using the brand names “Glitch” or “Glitch 2” for its accessories (deemed too similar to “Switch”), and may no longer name its press events “Genki Direct.”
Product and packaging designs must also avoid Nintendo’s core color schemes. The settlement explicitly lists these as: red-white, red-blue, green-pink, blue-yellow, purple-orange, pink-yellow, and purple-green.
The most prominent controversy involving Genki and Switch 2 occurred at CES 2025. At the time, Genki’s booth page stated it was “happy to share all information we have on Switch 2, as well as accessories in development for the device.”
Court filings note that Genki CEO Edward Tsai “personally displayed these 3D-printed models and told multiple journalists that Genki had access to an authentic Switch 2 unit, with its models, renders, and printed samples based on that hardware.”
Reports also indicate that Nintendo’s legal representatives confronted Genki during CES, but even after this, the company allegedly screened a video at its booth showing renders of the unreleased Switch 2. The video included the “Nintendo Switch 2” trademark and other proprietary identifiers.
Nintendo’s lawsuit further referenced a post on X (formerly Twitter) featuring Edward Tsai with the caption: “Genki ninja infiltrates Nintendo’s Kyoto headquarters.” Nintendo argued this was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public into believing Genki had obtained a Switch 2 unit and/or had a partnership with Nintendo.
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