Bajaj Auto, TVS Motor Resolve Decade-old Patent Infringement Case

Bajaj had accused TVS of copying its DTS-i technology back in 2007

• TVS had launched the Flame in 2007 with a CCVTi feature.
• The Hosur-based bike maker had sued Bajaj for defamation for Rs 250 crore. 
• Both companies have now agreed to settle the case amicably. 

Manufacturers going head-to-head in a court of law isn’t a new thing in the world of two-wheelers. Earlier this year, Royal Enfield was issued a lawsuit from Flash electronics in a patent infringement case, details of which you can read over here. But there are two other Indian bike makers as well who have been in the midst of a 12-year-long legal battle. Back in 2007, Bajaj had accused TVS Motor of infringing its patented DTS-i technology.

We all are well aware of Bajaj’s DTS-i technology, which found its way to most of its models. But in 2007, TVS had launched the Flame which was equipped with a three-valve engine based on CCVTi (Controlled Combustion Variable Timing Intelligent). Bajaj had made allegations that TVS’ CCVTi was a copy of its DTS-i tech. However, TVS had retaliated by saying that its feature was different from Bajaj’s as it was using three valves instead of two. 

Over the years, both companies were in a legal tussle where TVS sued Bajaj for defamation for Rs 250 crore. Apart from this, there were several other lawsuits filed by both companies against each other. Some of which were still pending before the Bombay High Court, Madras High Court, the Intellectual Property Appellate Board, Chennai, and even courts in Sri Lanka and Mexico.

However, now that both companies have agreed to settle the case amicably, they released a statement saying, “Both TVS Motor and Bajaj Auto have mutually agreed to withdraw the pending proceedings and release each other from all liabilities, claims, demands and actions in respect of the pending proceedings.”