Theory and practice of intellectual property
№ 3 / 2022
ISSN (Print) 2308-0361
ISSN (Online) 2519-2744
PDF (Ukrainian)DOI: https://doi.org/10.33731/32022.262624
Published 2022-08-09
Problems of patenting inventions created using artificial
intelligence: doctrine and practice
Gennadiy Androshchuk
Ukraine
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0781-9740
Abstract
The dynamics of development of the world market of artificial intelligence (AI), patent activity in this field, problematic issues arising in connection with the patenting of inventions created using AI are studied. Aspects of doctrine formation and policy development in the field of intellectual property (IP) and AI are considered. Features of examination of patentability of inventions created with the use of AI in different jurisdictions (EPO, USA, Germany, China), foreign legislation, doctrinal positions and case law in this field are analysed. According to the analysis of the Artificial Inventor project, DABUS applications indicating the AI system as the inventor, submitted in 17 jurisdictions, were mostly rejected at the level of intellectual property offices and as a result of court appeals. In general, the applicant failed to persuade the IP courts and agencies with his arguments, despite differences in national law and patent systems.
The main provisions of the draft law «On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine» On Protection of Rights to Inventions and Utility Models «on the regulation of relations arising in relation to inventions and utility models created using artificial intelligence» are considered. It is concluded that the Law on the Protection of Rights to Inventions and Utility Models excludes computer programs from patented objects. Their minority is stated in the total number of filed applications and issued patents. Between 1980 and 2018, only 740 such applications were published (1.26% of the total). The rules for compiling, submitting and reviewing an application for an invention (utility model) in Ukraine are outdated and do not reflect aspects of AI. Only a comprehensive approach (changes in legislation and improvement of expertise) will solve this problem.
Keywords: intellectual property, artificial intelligence, inventor, software, examination, patent, digital transformation
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