Accessory maker will pay Nintendo after showing illicit Switch 2 mockups at CES

Nintendo-watchers may remember when little-known accessory-maker Genki showed the world an extremely accurate 3D-printed mockup of the Switch 2 in January, about a week before Nintendo's own "first look" teaser video and months before the system's wider unveiling. Now, in a newly filed settlement agreement, Genki has agreed to pay Nintendo unspecified damages for "trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising" in connection with that promotional stunt.

The controversy started at the Consumer Electronics Show, where Genki showed off to press and attendees a 3D mockup of the then-unseen Switch 2 sporting the company's accessories. Genki also posted a video showing a detailed mockup of the system from various angles. By April, Genki was promoting a "Genki Direct" livestream focused on "upcoming accessories for Genki Glitch 2" (no, that isn't a typo).

Nintendo's lawyers reportedly visited Genki's CES booth once reports of the Switch 2 mockup started going viral. But a Genki representative asserted at the time that the company did not sign an NDA with Nintendo and therefore "has nothing to worry about."

Our lawyers will be in touch

Genki officially started having something to worry about in May, when Nintendo filed a lawsuit asserting that Genki misled consumers by displaying "unauthorized purported mockups and renderings of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its accessories" and "confirming specific, highly confidential designs and functionality of the not-yet announced Nintendo Switch 2" at CES. Public reports on those mockups resulted in "confusion among consumers as to the validity of Genki’s statements and association with Nintendo," the company alleged.