Even as the dust is yet to settle in the bitter patent dispute between Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor Company on the use of technology, another altercation is beginning to simmer, this time between Bajaj and Royal Enfield.

With Bajaj Auto going deeper into the usage of twin-spark technology is Royal Enfield's newly launched "Thunderbird Twinspark" - saying it will "study" the latter's product on possible violations of patents, the sparring is expected to escalate soon .
Royal Enfield, on the other hand, sent out a statement saying, "We would like to re-iterate that the twin spark ignition being used in our new Thunderbird's unit construction engine (UCE) is Royal Enfield's own design and it does not infringe on Bajaj Auto's patent, in any which way. We understand that Bajaj Auto's patent is for an engine displacement between 75cc to 250cc," it added.

Bajaj Auto MD Rajiv Bajaj told a news agency that his company's stance on the issue has not changed. "Yes, I said that we are studying it," Bajaj said when asked if he maintained what he stated at the company's annual general meeting (last week) over the use of twin-spark technology by Royal Enfield.

At the AGM, Bajaj said his company was studying if Royal Enfield's Thunderbird Twinspark 350 cc bike violated their patent on the twin-spark technology. It if was found to infringe, then the company would seek legal recourse.

Royal Enfield on its part said the engine displacement on the Thunderbird Twinspark is in the range of 350cc and above. "Besides this, there are several other differences in construction of the engine and spark plugs," it said.

Last month when Enfield launched its bike in Chennai, Siddhartha Lal, MD & CEO of Eicher Motors (Royal Enfield is a division of Eicher), said that "we are extremely clear on technology and there are no issues or concerns. Also, the twin spark plugs are not a patent technology and therefore there is no infringement in any technology."