UK Supreme Court Denies AI Inventor Recognition in Landmark Case
(London, December 21, 2023) - In a landmark decision, the UK Supreme Court has ruled that artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be named as an inventor on patent applications. This ruling comes after technologist Stephen Thaler attempted to name his AI system, Dabus, as the inventor of a food container and a flashing light beacon.
Thaler's efforts to secure patent rights for Dabus' creations were initially rejected by the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in 2019, citing current UK law that specifies inventors must be human individuals. Both the High Court and Court of Appeal subsequently upheld this decision.
The Supreme Court, in a unanimous ruling by its five-member bench, has now reaffirmed the requirement for a human inventor, effectively denying AI systems any ownership of intellectual property under the current legal framework. While the court's judgement does not address the actual inventive process behind the food container and light beacon, it sets a legal precedent for future AI creations.
Thaler, a vocal advocate for AI rights, expressed concerns about the implications of this decision. He argues that denying AI patent rights could lead to valuable innovations going unrecognized and potentially incentivize unethical behavior. He emphasizes the need for legal frameworks that adapt to the evolving landscape of AI development.
This landmark case raises critical questions about the status of AI in the realm of intellectual property and legal recognition. As AI technology continues to advance, the legal system will likely face increasing pressure to adapt to the complexities of this evolving landscape.
Refrence:
htps://apnews.com/article/ai-inventor-patent-britain-high-court-f2ec69ada65c8e7dcf2febe814210b5a
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