TVS dismisses Bajaj's patent breach charges

TVS Motor on Monday dismissed allegations of patent infringement by Pune-based rival, Bajaj Auto, saying that technologies used by both the companies are vastly different.

TVS Motor emphasised that the patent claimed by Bajaj did not influence the technology it has developed.

The Chennai-based company had moved an application to revoke the patent granted to Bajaj Auto on the ground of it being a "known prior art".

According to TVS sources, the company filed the application with the Patent Office a few weeks prior to the unveiling of its new bikes at Hosur on August 30.

TVS Motor's counsel delivered the copy of the letter at Bajaj's office on Tuesday since Bajaj had earlier claimed that it had not received an intimation of the same, TVS said.

TVS said the patent was granted to Bajaj Auto for an improved four-stroke internal combustion (IC) engine with two valves. The patent as granted rests on two valves as a distinct new feature, not the two-spark plugs, TVS contended.

"The new (twin-spark plug) technology of TVS Motor has been developed along with globally renowned engine research institute, AVL (Austria) and is totally different from the technology used by Bajaj," TVS added.

TVS Motor said it used a combination of innovative technology developed in-house under the label "VTi". Besides, the company used AVL's patented 3-valves technology, TVS claimed.

Bajaj Auto's final claim to patent was based on the two-valve engine design. In contrast, TVS Motor's internal combustion engine has three valves, the company pointed out.

Besides this fundamental difference, each element of Bajaj Auto's patent claim description, including twin-spark plugs, rested purely on "prior art", TVS reiterated.

A comparison of Bajaj's IC engine with TVS Motor IC engine showed that any allegation of infringement against TVS Motor was clearly ridiculous, TVS said.

"The most surprising part of the irresponsible charge is that Bajaj Auto does not even know what is the configuration of the TVS Motor's new technology 'CCVTi'. And yet, it has taken a leap in the dark and made such a serious allegation. TVS Motor, is therefore, insisting on Bajaj Auto withdrawing its malicious charge. If Bajaj doesn't do so, TVS Motor will go ahead with its libel suit. TVS will ensure, by appropriate legal means, that Bajaj Auto does not interfere with the use of its CCVTi technology on the basis of which it has already announced new launches commencing in November," a TVS Motor statement said.

TVS further said, "We are firm believers in technology and also believe in continuously upgrading it. We have been investing over 2.5 per cent of our gross revenues in R&D activities and have a compliment of over 500 qualified engineers engaged in research and new product development."