Intellectual Property

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The power of large language models (LLMs) that enables generative AI derives from vast quantities of data. Much of this data comes from scraping all forms of content from the internet. Despite the benefits, this practice raises numerous legal issues, some of which implicate IP issues. Dozens of pending lawsuits in the US alone include claims involving IP issues with data scraping. The recent OECD report titled “Intellectual Property Issues in AI Trained on Scraped Data” (Report) explores the intricate relationship between AI and IP rights, particularly focusing on data scraping practices used in AI training. It aims to provide policymakers with insights into the legal challenges posed by data scraping and potential policy approaches to address these issues. The following is an overview of the Report.Continue Reading OECD Report on Data Scraping and AI – What Companies Can Do Now as Policymakers Consider the Issues

While AI has many people uptight, Aescape has developed technology to help you relax – AI robotic massage. Aescape touts that it combines the timeless art of massage with robotics and artificial intelligence to deliver an exceptional massage experience every time. The “Aertable” (i.e., the massage table) has bolsters, headrests, and armrests that are all adjustable to provide a customized fit during each session. It also has continuous feedback which allows for real-time adjustments to optimize comfort. The “Aerscan” system captures 1.2 million data points, precisely mapping your body’s muscle structure to create a unique blueprint for a highly personalized massage experience. “Aerpoints” replicate the seven touch techniques of a skilled therapist, simulating the knuckle, thumb, cupped hand, blade of hand, palm, forearm, and elbow. The “Aerview” provides personal control so you can adjust the pressure, manage the music, or customize the display to create a session tailored to your preferences, needs and mood. The company has developed “Aerwear” a high-compression performance fabric that enhances body detection for the system and allows Aerpoints to move smoothly over your body. Wearing it is mandatory during the massage. The tables are equipped with advanced safety features, including force sensors and pause and emergency stop features to prevent or abate issues if things go wrong. Aescape is a classic example of an application of AI and robotics that will interact with humans. We will see many more such applications from this point forward. While Aescape seems to have anticipated some of the potential problems that can arise, any AI robotic application that interacts with humans has the potential for a variety of legal issues. The following are some of the general legal issues that may be relevant to AI robotic applications that interact with humans. But the actual issues will vary by application.Continue Reading If You Are Uptight About AI, This May Relax You

*prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence

In the rapidly evolving landscape of intellectual property law, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool for attorneys and inventors alike. AI drafting software, with promise of efficiency and innovation, has been increasingly adopted for drafting patent application and aiding in patent prosecution. However, this technological advancement is not without its pitfalls. Below, we explore both the risks and benefits of leveraging AI in a patent prosecution practice, providing an overview for practitioners considering its adoption.Continue Reading The Double-Edged Sword of AI in Patent Drafting and Prosecution

We recently posted about the Jobiak case which raises the interesting question of whether scraping an AI-generated database of job listings constitutes copyright infringement (among other claims). Plaintiff has submitted its opposition, in which it raises the substantive arguments to the copyright claim set forth below.Continue Reading Jobiak’s Opposition to Motion to Dismiss Copyright Infringement Claims on AI-Created Database

The USPTO issued guidance on February 6, 2024 that clarified existing rules and policies and discussed how to apply them when AI is used in the drafting of submissions to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). As a follow up, the USPTO has now published additional guidance in the Federal Register on some important issues that patent and trademark professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs must navigate while using artificial intelligence (AI) in matters before the USPTO. The guidance recognizes that practitioners use AI to prepare and prosecute patent and trademark applications. It reminds individuals involved in proceedings before the USPTO of the pertinent rules and policies, identifies some risks associated with the use of AI, and provides suggestions to mitigate those risks. It states that while the USPTO is committed to maximizing AI’s benefits, the USPTO recognizes the need, through technical mitigations and human governance, to cabin the risks arising from the use of AI in practice before the USPTO. The USPTO has determined that existing rules protect the USPTO’s ecosystem against such potential perils and thus no new rules are currently being proposed.Continue Reading USPTO Issues Additional Guidance on Use of AI Tools in Connection with USPTO Matters

The White House Executive Order on AI (“EO”) is comprehensive and covers a wide range of topics. We provided a summary here. It addresses many of the risks and problems that can arise with AI. One of the topics which raises many legal issues, particularly with generative AI (“genAI”), is intellectual property. Some of the IP issues include: i) whether training AI models on copyrighted content constitutes infringement; ii) whether the output of genAI that is based on copyright-protected training material constitutes infringement; iii) what level of human authorship/inventorship is required for copyright/patent protection of genAI-assisted works; iv) whether genAI tools that create art “in the style of” particular artists constitutes copyright infringement and/or violate the right of publicity; v) whether genAI tools that are trained on copyright-protected materials must maintain copyright management information; and vi) whether genAI tools, such as AI code generators, that are trained on open source software, must comply with the terms of the open source licenses.Continue Reading White House Executive Order on AI Punts on IP Issues