The excitement surrounding the release of Nintendo's next console has been fueled by numerous leaks. And long before its release, the Switch 2 is already involved in a legal case. Indeed, the Japanese giant has finally decided to protect its secrets and brand image. And recently, the Japanese company has filed a lawsuit against a well-known accessory manufacturer in the gaming world.
A complaint filed in California
Nintendo has filed an official complaint in the United States, more precisely in California. The accused is none other than Human Things, the parent company of Genki. The 27-page complaint details several serious offenses.
Among them are:
- Deception of consumers
- Unfair competition
- Illegal use of Nintendo trademarks
It all started in December 2024, when Genki took advantage of legal or illegal access to the Switch 2, which was still unreleased at that time.
Genki displays a prototype at CES 2025
Then, Genki unveiled 3D models of the Switch 2 at CES 2025. The company claimed to have had a real model in its hands. Worse still, it announced that it was preparing eight accessories compatible with the future console.
It also reportedly revealed features not yet made public by Nintendo. Moreover, Nintendo's lawyers reportedly went directly to Genki's booth during the event. But Genki reportedly claimed that it had not signed any non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with Nintendo and that no legal wrongdoing had been committed.
Nintendo denounces deliberate actions
Furthermore, Nintendo accuses Genki of deliberately sowing confusion. On social media, in emails, and even during promotional live streams, Genki has reportedly led to believe it has an official partnership with Nintendo.
For example, the company hinted at a live stream called "Genki Direct", with a logo almost identical to that of the famous "Nintendo Direct". For Nintendo, this strategy aims to boost sales of Genki accessories.
Leaks or a stolen prototype?
The case also highlights the question of access to the prototype. Officially, Genki changed its tune after the incident. In its defense, the company tried to make amends by claiming that its models are actually based on industrial leaks and not on a real model.
Nevertheless, the complaint suggests that Genki may have gotten its hands on a real copy of the Switch 2, before its official release.
Furthermore, the tone used by Genki on social media didn't help matters.
On January 20, the company's official account posted a photo of its CEO, Edward Tsai, with the caption:
Genki's ninjas infiltrate Nintendo's Kyoto headquarters...
Nintendo wants to keep the control
On this occasion, Nintendo reminded that the compatibility of any third-party accessories with the Switch 2 cannot be guaranteed until the console is officially launched.
In any case, Genki currently risks facing:
- Heavy fines
- A ban on marketing certain products
- An obligation to change its visuals and logos
And above all, the brand could lose the trust of part of the gaming community.
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