Nintendo has settled its trademark dispute with Genki, the accessory maker that displayed unauthorized Switch 2 mockups at CES 2025. The Nintendo Genki settlement closes a legal battle that began in May, when Nintendo accused the company of trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising.
The original lawsuit alleged that Genki’s marketing materials, which included a 3D-printed Switch 2 model and promotional language, created confusion around Nintendo’s unreleased console. According to coverage of Nintendo’s May lawsuit filing, the company claimed Genki was attempting to benefit from brand association without authorization. That case laid the foundation for the settlement announced this week.
As part of the agreement, Genki will pay undisclosed damages and must refrain from using any branding similar to Nintendo’s intellectual property. This includes avoiding terms such as “Genki Direct” or designs that mimic Nintendo’s color schemes. The settlement also enforces nominative fair use rules, allowing Genki to reference Nintendo products only when describing verified compatibility.
Although Genki denied having access to Switch 2 hardware before its reveal, the company agreed to stop using materials that could suggest privileged insight. Nintendo, in turn, dropped its request for further damages, making this a closed case. Analysts point out that the settlement reinforces Nintendo’s reputation for aggressive IP protection, a stance seen previously in actions against Nintendo’s long-standing emulator disputes.
The timing is notable, as Nintendo prepares for the official launch of the Switch 2. By resolving this lawsuit quickly, the company removes a distraction and ensures control over how its next-generation console is presented to the public.
The settlement highlights how critical intellectual property enforcement is for companies like Nintendo. For Genki and others in the accessory space, it underscores the need to innovate without infringing on brand identity.
