A Supreme Court bench, presided by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, today refused to grant a stay to Bajaj Auto against its claim that TVS Motor Company has infringed its patent for a four-stroke engine. The next hearing of the case will be held on January 18.According to Bajaj Auto, the launch of TVS Flame last month by the rival firm was an infringement of its patent No 195904 granted to it in 2005. The invention related to the use of twin spark plugs for efficient combustion of lean air fuel mixture in small bore internal combustion engines working on the four-stroke principle.Earlier, a single judge bench of the Madras High Court had passed an injunction order against TVS. However, a division bench suspended the order just before the winter recess, and the vehicle was launched soon thereafter.Though Bajaj Auto asserted its right over the technology in public, TVS also claimed its right and even filed a defamation suit in the Bombay High court against Bajaj.
