Workshop on IP Protection for AI and Robotics

The Workshop on Intellectual Property Protection for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics was held on April 15, 2019, at the DPMA forum in Munich. This event was organized collaboratively by the law firm Page, White & Farrer, the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Law Society (RAILS), and the German Patent and Trademark Office (GPTO).

The workshop addressed the pressing question of how intellectual property rights apply to AI and robotics innovations. Key topics included the relevance of AI across various economic and technological fields, an overview of major players in the patent market, and the challenges of patenting software-based technologies. Emphasis was placed on the requirement of a technical character for inventions and the complexities of protecting software and AI-driven innovations.

Practical challenges in obtaining patents for AI-based products and services were also explored. Discussions centered on balancing discretion and publication to maintain novelty, meeting the inventive step requirement for AI inventions, and strategies to enhance company value through tailored patent approaches.