After Bajaj vs TVS, it could now be Bajaj vs Royal Enfield...
In its zeal to protect its patent on the use of twin spark-plug DTS-i technology, Bajaj Auto first took on TVS, which tried using a similar technology on its Flame 125 motorcycle. Bajaj went to court, and for now, TVS has got court orders asking the company to stop using the technology.
Next in Bajaj’s line of fire is Royal Enfield, which is using twin spark-plug tech on its latest variant, the Thunderbird Twinspark 350. While Bajaj’s DTS-i patent is, apparently, only for engines of 75-250cc, and the Thunderbird has a 350cc engine, Bajaj is still saying it will ‘study’ the Royal Enfield bike to ascertain whether there has been a patent infringement.
On its part, Royal Enfield says its Thunderbird Twinspark doesn’t use any technology that is similar to Bajaj’s DTS-i, and that it uses a 350cc engine which is anyway outside the purview of the Bajaj patent. However, given the TVS precedent, a Bajaj vs Royal Enfield legal wrangle just might be in the works…
