TVS and BAL have been at loggerheads over a patent issue involving the latter’s Digital Twin Spark-ignition (DTS-i) which it claims TVS has copied in its new 125cc bike Flame.

Flame is expected to hit the market by next month. Refuting Bajaj’s claim, TVS had last week filed a Rs 250 crore defamation suit in Bombay High Court against the Pune-based bike maker.

TVS had also challenged Bajaj’s DTS-i patent in August this year and had applied for its revocation at the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB), Chennai. BAL, in a statement issued on Saturday, said it has received a notice from IPAB in September and it is prepared to defend its patent.

Its infringement
TVS Flame is fitted with CCVTi technology (acronym for Controlled Combustion Variable Timing Intelligent), which Bajaj alleges is an infringement of its patent on DTS-i.

Bajaj Auto said in a statement that the company has patented DTS-i technology via Patent No 195904 granted on July 7, 2005.

Bajaj Auto said it was concerned about the “possible infringement" of its DTS-i patent and would take all necessary steps to protect itself.

“Bajaj continues to be extremely concerned about the possible infringement of this patent and, given the enormous success of DTS-i technology and the growing sales and profitability of DTS-i based products, Bajaj is taking all necessary steps to protect itself,” the statement said.

Will defend suit
The Pune-based company said it was yet to receive a notice on TVS’ defamation suit and would defend its case in the court on receipt of the notice.

“It appears that TVS Motor has apparently filed a defamation suit against Bajaj in the Mumbai High Court. Bajaj has not been served any notice in this regard and on receipt of the same will defend against such action,” Bajaj Auto Limited said.