More Flames in Bajaj-TVS technology patent row

The patent row over technology between two-wheeler majors Bajaj Auto Ltd and TVS Motors is likely to spill over into a messy courtroom..

The patent row over technology between two-wheeler majors Bajaj Auto Ltd and TVS Motors is likely to spill over into a messy courtroom battle with both companies sticking to their guns and refusing to bow down after trading volleys for three days.

While Bajaj, which holds a patent for its DTS-i technology has threatened to drag TVS to court citing intellectual property rights infringement, TVS had yesterday countered that it will frame libel charges against the Pune-based company.

TVS8217; new offering in the 125cc segment Flame uses a technology similar to Bajaj8217;s patented digital twin spark injection DTSitechnology. 8220;We are anxious that failing domestic manufacturers may in an act of desperation infringe upon our technology and we are preparing ourselves in case such a product is eventually introduced,8221; said Bajaj two wheeler division CEO S Sridhar.

The company claims that global manufacturers have in the past tried to do the same but have been thwarted. TVS remains unrepentant claiming that Flame is very different from any of the bikes that Bajaj makes and the patent does not hold for it.

8220;Bajaj has a patent for twin spark technology only for two valve engines. Flame for the first time in the country sports a three valve heart and is thus outside the purview of the patent,8221; said TVS senior vice president H S Goindy. 8220;The technology has been prepared by Austrian company AVL specifically for us and we are a licensee to it. It generates higher power, torque and fuel efficiency and nobody can accuse us of any infringement. Our bike is not even out yet. How can they form an opinion without even seeing it?8221;

The friction between the two companies can also be attributed to the spate of product launches in the executive segment. While Bajaj is all set to launch its 125cc Exceed that will use a similar digital twin spark swirl induction technology, Flame 8212; which replaces Victor and will hit the roads in October was showcased just a week ahead of the Exceed launch.

8220;Infringement of technology is a non issue in the automobile industry. We are known to use similar technology with different names like in the case of TDCI, CRDI and CRDE in four wheeler diesel engines,8221; an industry insider said. 8220;What8217;s more important is that both companies have not been doing too well in the market and this mud slinging is at least ensuring some hype for the products before the festive season.8221;

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Both the Exceed and Flame will sport 125cc engines but while the former will belt out 9.53 bhp at 7000 rpm, the latter with its one extra valve dishes out a higher 10.5 bhp power at 8250 rpm.

Patent Problems

8226; Bajaj has a patent for DTSi. But TVS claims Flame has a 3-valve engine and the patent does not hold.

8226; Both companies have threatened to go to court. However, Bajaj will wait for launch of Flame first.

8226; Twin spark technology has been widely used across cars and high end bikes. Bajaj was the first to introduce it in low-end bikes with Pulsar.