Kaycomp Trademark

Many have asked me about the Kaycomp name and the story of the Trademark infringement problem. Here is my research on the topic.

David Kay wanted a short name to represent the computer division of NLS. Kay Computers was a little too long for his liking but a slight shortening of the name to Kaycomp fit with his concept.

They proceeded with the initial development of the name including it on the prototypes and producing somewhere between 50 to 200 shells and keyboards with the name on them. The lawyer tasked with Trademarking the name found that there was already another company using the name.

As reported in the San Diego Evening Tribune by Donald Coleman: "... the product has been renamed Kaypro II because of the protests of a Pasadena software manufacturer with the name of K-Comp." (17 Sept. 1982, Pg 61)

A trademark search on tsdr.uspto.gov brings up:

The company is listed as being in Glendale, California which is next to Pasadena.