TVS, Bajaj impasse over patent still on

New Delhi, Sept 5: Even as the stand-off between Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor Company over the alleged patent infringement continued, TVS today said it will launch its new 125 cc bike 'Flame' in November.

TVS Motor had yesterday delivered a copy of its patent revocation application which it had filed with the Appellate Board of Patent Office to Bajaj Auto.

The fight between the two companies erupted last week with country's second-biggest motorbike maker Bajaj Auto accusing TVS for infringing on its DTSi technology patent for use in the newly-launched 125cc TVS Flame and said it will take all necessary steps to safeguard its interests and ''inflict maximum permissible damage upon the offender''.

''All I can say we are using this technology in all our future products. We are a very tax savvy company,'' TVS Chairman and Managing Director Venu Srinivasan told reporters on the sidelines of SIAM Annual Convention here.

He, however, declined to comment on the company's future course of action saying, ''We are taking the advise of our counsel.'' Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajeev Bajaj said the company would wait for TVS's Flame to be out in the market to decide on future course of action regarding the patent infringement suit.

''The legal issues will be decided by the court,'' Mr Bajaj said.

UNI