Tags: patent law

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to review a lawsuit brought by computer scientist Stephen Thaler seeking copyright protection for an artwork produced by his own artificial‑intelligence system. The denial leaves in place lower‑court rulings that rejected Thaler’s claim, reinforcing the Copyright Office’s stance that works must be created by a human author to qualify for protection. The decision also underscores similar rejections of Thaler’s AI‑generated patent and trademark applications, highlighting ongoing legal challenges for creators using machine‑learning tools. Read more

The United States Patent and Trademark Office has clarified that generative artificial intelligence systems are to be regarded as instruments comparable to other research tools, not as inventors. Director John Squires emphasized that AI may assist in idea generation but the human who conceives the invention remains the inventor. The updated guidance confirms existing legal precedent that only natural persons can be named as inventors, and it applies traditional joint‑inventorship rules when multiple people collaborate with AI assistance. The clarification aims to provide certainty for innovators using AI in developing new technologies, including pharmaceuticals. Read more