"Kauai Labs" in Chile

[slibert]

During our return home from FRC World Championships in Houston and Detroit yesterday, we were informed that a new company named “Kauai Labs” was formed 4 weeks ago in Chile by two sons of the current president. More information can be found here. The article also mentions recent travel to visit with technology companies in China.

Our company, Kaua’i Labs was created in 2012 to advance the technology used in FIRST and in other robotics education programs around the world. Our company name fuses together our location (the island where we live of Kaua’i in Hawai’i) and our focus on enabling research and making that research available to students in educational and competitive robotics. Our vision is to continue to contribute to FIRST and other robotics programs around the world.

First, I want to assure you our company is in no way related to this company in Chile, and that the individuals involved have not extended to us the courtesy of contacting us about it. While the copying of our company name indicates we are clearly making a difference in robotics worldwide, we are concerned about any confusion it creates among our customers, and cannot help but be concerned about the intentions of this company.

Second, while it is not strictly illegal for a company in a foreign country to use the same company name as a company in the United States, I think you would agree it is definitely not in the spirit of gracious professionalism to knowingly do so. For those of you inspired to create your own company as we have, I encourage you not to follow the steps taken by these individuals in Chile. There is a Hawaiian word (“Pono”) meaning “Righteousness” which guides our steps and we feel the actions of this Chilean company are definitely “not Pono”.

All Kaua’i Labs products and materials will always include the okina (the apostrophe between the ‘a’ and ‘i’ in the word Kaua**’**i) and the registered “Build Better Robots” trademark. We exist to serve you and I encourage you to contact me directly if there is ever any question regarding Kaua’i Labs, our products and our vision.

Aloha,

• scott

[nuclearnerd]

That really sucks. Bigger companies have had their branding completely smeared by this sort of opportunism (Relevant fantastic Planet Money Episode). You might try sending a letter to the Chilean Embassy. In the meantime, I’m sure we will recognize your awesome products. Good luck!

[orangeandblack5]

Dang. You in particular have been nothing but helpful here on CD over my years in FIRST, and your products have really helped us in the past. It’s a shame to see this happen, I wish you the best going forward.

[gerthworm]

Thank you for the heads-up! If there’s anything you find that a community of strong-headed individuals with occasional powerful connections can do, let us know! If it makes you feel any better, you’re still the top google results!

[slibert]

Thanks everyone for your words of support on this matter; just a bit of follow-up.

We contacted the owner of the company in Chile, and were able to clear up any confusion; they have assured us their use of the same company name was a coincidence and their business does not compete with ours - and they have kindly agreed to stop using the Kauai Labs name for any commercial purpose. I found the owner to be quite an honorable person.