Bajaj, TVS patent tiff intensifies

The face-off between Bajaj Auto and TVS Motors heated up on Monday with allegations and counter-allegations by the two companies through the media. On Monday Bajaj clarified that it will defend its patent on the DTS-i (Digital Twin Spark Ignition) technology — christened Bajaj DTS-i used in small automotive engines. A press note issued by Mr S. Sridhar, CEO 2Wheelers, Bajaj Auto Ltd. Pune, said: "Bajaj accords the highest importance to its IP portfolio and will defend the same. Bajaj cautions against any attempt to infringe it," Mr Sridhar’s statement comes after TVS on Sunday said that it would sue Bajaj for allegedly stealing its patent.
Mr Sridhar in his note explained that the company had applied for the patent for the Indian market on July 16, 2002, and was granted approval via patent number 195904 on July 7, 2005. If there exists any application for revocation of this patent, details of the same are not known to Bajaj. Similarly, he said that the company is also expecting approval of its international patent applications in various foreign countries subsequent to its application PCT/IN03/000348 dated October 30, 2003.
Recently, the Chinese manufacturer Taian Chiran Machinery Co Ltd and its Sri Lankan distributor were instructed by the high court of Western Province, Sri Lanka, to withdraw their copy of the Bajaj Pulsar with DTS-i from the market. Bajaj has been anxious that failing domestic manufacturers may in an act of desperation adopt similar methods in India. TVS Motor in a late night press rejoinder expressed surprise at "the wild and reckless allegations made by Bajaj Auto Ltd" through the media charging TVS Motor with infringement of their intellectual property rights.
Rebutting the malicious charge, TVS Motor said it "had forthwith put Bajaj on notice that the accusation is libelous, asking them to withdraw the reckless charge or face law suit." Shortly stated, TVS said: "The patent rights claimed by Bajaj Auto Ltd for its Internal Combustion Engine is not for "twin spark plugs" per se. It is for the use of twin spark plugs in two valve engine. On the other hand, TVS Motor’s technology is a combination of its in-house developed innovative technology by name "VTi", and use of AVL’s patented "3 Valves" technology in engine."