The Chennai patent office has rejected TVS’ filing for a shock absorber patent based on the pre-grant opposition filed by Bajaj Auto. Bajaj alleged that the invention for which the patent is being sought has been in the market since 1998.
TVS filed a patent for a shock absorber which employs a helper spring made of polyurethane. This element helps in absorbing and dissipating energy in a more efficient manner thus offer a better ride quality.
Bajaj filed a pre-grant opposition against TVS’ patent application.M Ajith, deputy controller of patents & designs, stated that Bajaj was successful in establishing a ground of insufficiency in disclosure and the patent application is liable to be refused based on this ground alone. The Bajaj induced setback for TVS comes soon after TVS dragged Bajaj to the Madras High Court with an accusation that the Pune-based automaker’s dealers propagated false mileage claims of TVS products.
This is not the first patent war between the two Indian two wheeler giants. Several years ago, Bajaj Auto was successful in restraining its rival from launching the Flame 125 cc motorcycle which allegedly employed twin-spark plugs akin to Bajaj’s patented DTS-i technology. The injunction was lifted later but the case is still on.
Several years ago, Bajaj and TVS entered into a patent war over the TVS Flame’s ignition system.Also read – TVS Apache RTR 200 modified into a fully faired motorcycle
In addition to Bajaj Auto, Endurance Technologies also filed a pre-grant opposition against TVS’s patent application.
TVS Apache RTR 200 – Photos
Via – Financialexpress.com
