Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property: Who Owns Property Created by an Algorithm or a Robot?

Authors
Schiemer, J.; Tawse, N.; and O’Rourke, J. S. (editor)
Region
Africa
Asia - Pacific
Europe
Latin & South America
North America
Topic
Strategy & General Management
Ethics & Social Justice
Length
18 pages
Keywords
intellectual property
law
artificial intelligence
AI
Copyright Holder
Notre Dame
Student Price
$4.00
Target Audience
Graduate Students
Undergraduate Students
Executive Education
Other Audience

The University of Surrey has filed multiple patents in the United Kingdom on behalf of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Robot, Device for the Autonomous Bootstrapping of Unified Sentience (DABUS). The two ideas were artificially created by DABUS without any human intervention, but for centuries, intellectual property ownership has been created on behalf of humans. With improving computing power and abilities of Artificial Intelligence, the need to copyright for non-human beings is being called to question. This case study analyses the question: should the University of Surrey, or any other entity, be allowed to apply for intellectual property protection on behalf of an AI robot or algorithm? 18 pp. Case # 19-15 (2019)

Learning Outcomes
  1. To highlight current issues and encourage discussion on the complex landscape of Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property law.
  2. To facilitate forward-thinking in a world where machines are capable of creating and learning new things and have the potential to receive credit for work they create.
  3. To highlight the opinions of experts from the legal and technical side of Artificial Intelligence, analyzing the limitations and liabilities compared to the customary conjecture that is the subject of most AI articles in the popular press