Tata files 37 patents to stop Nano copycats
By siliconindia   |   Tuesday, 24 March 2009, 18:57 IST   |    3 Comments
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Tata files 37 patents to stop Nano copycats
New Delhi: In a bid to protect Nano car against imitation by competitors, Tata Motors has already applied for patent protection. "As far as the Tata Nano is concerned, 37 inventions have been filed for patent protection so far to cover all the innovations in the car. We are also considering filing IPs on Nano in overseas locations at an appropriate time. Most of the patent applications filed before 2007 have already been granted. Further, nearly one-fifth of the patent applications are in the process of getting protection in other countries based on the marketing portfolio, scope of invention and costs involved in protection and enforcement," a company spokesperson told The Economic Times. Tata Motors has been learned to have filed more than 400 patents and design applications for its various vehicles and processes. The company is also close to filing intellectual property rights (IPRs) claims for Nano in overseas markets, company officials said. The patents will help Tata Motors protect some of its innovative ideas used in developing the car, say officials close to the development. The move is also expected to help the company sell the car in markets such as Africa, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. Company sources said in addition to the design, Tata Motors has put in a lot of effort to develop components to reduce costs and make the rear-engine driven vehicle fuel-efficient. Other global and local auto companies have announced plans to develop a similar low-priced vehicle for the Indian roads ever since the Tata group announced its plans. Analysts said it made sense for the Tatas to seek global patents, given their international business growth strategy. "Increasingly, there will be a lot of awareness and sensitivities involved around technology and the manner of presentation in a competitive market," they said.

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