http://www.pagunblog.com/2012/02/16/review-ruger-lcp-v-kel-tec-p3at/There is no active proof of a relationship between Ruger and Kel tec that anyone can point to.Originally, this licensing arrangement was commonly affirmed by the gun press as general knowledge, but now no one can now find a record of it.
For Ruger to shamelessly copy somebody else's weapon design to the point that laser sights and such just bolt up on their gun is ..... not something I would like to believe.
Some theorize that Kel Tek didn't patent any of their items. This thought is rather pointless, because the anti-copying laws written for tennis shoes and handbags all still apply.
Some say Kel Tek ripped off Grendel (George Kelgrin worked for Grendel as their gun designer before opening up Kel Tec CNC) and I owned a Grendel so I can tell you factually the P3AT is based upon the Kel Tec P32 and the P32 is much slimmer and neater than a .380 Grendel ever was. And the Grendel had a hideous coiled lawnmower spring that fired their hammer mass and it was wide and bulky and awkward -- the P32 was a completely better idea on many fronts (as well as being the smallest neatest strongest little pistol that existed at the time).
The Ruger gun IS a direct copy of a Kel Tec, with minor alterations to adapt it to investment casting of the slide. Laser sights bolt up to both guns at the exact same locations/fastener sizes.
Kel Tec is a totally personally owned company which does not have to give out any financial data, so folks who happen to own stock in Ruger have been asking for Ruger's side of any licensing arrangement to no avail. No exterior proof of an arrangement exists.
If there isn't one, then fie on Ruger for ripping off the little guy's bread and butter. I would not wish this to be the case as I like both Ruger and Kel Tec
George Kelgrin is a well known, very prolific and VERY talented gun designer -- Ruger likely paid him to design them a gun for them.
If this was not the case, then some lawsuits would have happened by now, don't you think?