As
per the suit filed, Royal Enfield has infringed Flash electronics’ patent on
“Regulator Rectifier Device and Method for Regulating an Output Voltage of the
Same” duly issued by the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) to
Flash Electronics on February 20, 2018
after Flash’s R&D department made a breakthrough invention of the
component in 2014. Since then Flash
Electronics has been the key manufacturer and supplier of this component to
many leading two-wheeler manufacturers in India and overseas.
Royal
Enfield, in the meanwhile, deinied all wrongdoings and in a statement said that
it is a responsible company that has been working with various suppliers for
over 60 years, in a manner that meets all legal and regulatory requirements.
“Even
though no official communication has been received, we have learnt of a lawsuit
filed in the United States of America by Flash Electronics Pvt Ltd. that
alleges that one of the components used in some of our motorcycle models sold
in the USA infringe on the plaintiff’s registered patent. We would like to
clarify that the said component is supplied to us by an external, proprietary
supplier, which independently develops and owns the IP rights in the said
component. The supplier denies plaintiff’s claims vehemently,” said a press
statement issued by Royal Enfield.
RE
said that it was actively evaluating the issue internally and seeking legal
advice from its US counsels.
The regulator-rectifier
The
regulator-rectifier is a vital component that smoothly and efficiently converts
the AC (Alternating Current) voltage produced in motorcycle engines into DC
(Direct Current) voltage to charge the batteries, power the headlights, light
up the instrument panel hence drives the motorcycle’s electrical systems.
Besides
USA, Flash has been granted patent in various other countries including many
European countries including Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom, the
Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, Austria, Switzerland as well as Turkey and the company would be filing similar suits
in the respective jurisdictions soon, a statement from Flash Electronics said.
Commenting
on the incident, Sanjeev Vasdev, Founder and Managing Director, Flash
Electronics India Pvt Ltd said “Flash Electronics is a responsible and mature member
of the automotive community, manufacturing cutting edge engineering products
since decades and is recognised on a global automotive front for its strong
in-house R&D capabilities. We have been trusted suppliers to leading auto
manufacturers across India and overseas and it’s unfortunate to have to deal
with such an unexpected and unprecedented act on the part of Royal Enfield, one
of the most prestigious names in the automotive sector. This incident is highly
objectionable and has dented the credibility of the brand, at least with us as
a partner”.
Further,
Vasdev mentioned that the company was approached by three senior officials of
Royal Enfield on October 12, 2018 in New Delhi to settle the issue amicably and
requested Flash not to file any suit on the matter. Flash waited for the
outcome of this meeting but Royal Enfield did not address the issue.
Vasdev further commented that Flash will take
all necessary action required across the world to ensure that Royal Enfield
stops infringing the patent and pays compensation for the violation which would
run into millions of dollars. He also urged other component manufacturers to be
vigilant, on this kind of predatory behaviour.
Flash Electronics India
Flash
Electronics has been at the forefront of the Indian Automotive Industry since
its establishment in 1989. The company’ core competency is manufacturing of
cutting-edge electronic and electrical auto components. Flash has also entered
the market for gears for two wheelers and four wheelers and invested Rs. 400
crore in setting up two new plants.
Recently
Flash has raised Rs. 200 crores from private equity firm DMI finance to further
expand operations. The funds will be utilised to upgrade products for
transition to BS VI emission standards and scale up its existing business.
Flash has also developed a complete
solution for electric vehicles and targets to be a major supplier of components
as the market grows.
In
October 2015 , the company acquired Germany’s Bing Power System to expand its
global footprint. The group supplies components to Bajaj Auto Ltd, India Yamaha
motor, Maruti-Suzuki and Jawa motorcycles, among others. Globally, it has among its clients Porsche,
Audi , BMW, KTM, Kawasaki, Harley-Davidson, Ducati , Triumph and BRP-Rotax.