Blog

2024 marked a pivotal year for AI adoption in the patent industry, with early adopters reporting significant efficiency gains and improved application quality. As we look ahead to 2025, we're poised to witness an unprecedented surge in AI implementation across patent offices and law firms worldwide. For patent attorneys looking to stay competitive and efficient, understanding these emerging AI tools is no longer optional - it's essential. In this guide, we'll explore the transformative capabilities these technologies can bring to your practice in 2025.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the field of intellectual property is transforming the way patent professionals approach their work. One of the most significant advancements in this area is the use of AI tools for drafting patent claims. These claims, the cornerstone of any patent, define the legal scope of an invention’s protection, making their accuracy and clarity critical. With the advent of AI-assisted tools, drafting patent claims is becoming more efficient, precise, and accessible.

‍

This article explores the benefits of using AI to draft patent claims, compares leading AI tools in the market, and highlights important considerations for implementing these tools effectively.

Patent attorneys often face high workloads, tight deadlines, and the pressure to deliver impeccable work. AI-powered tools like Solve Intelligence’s Patent Copilot are revolutionising how patent applications are drafted and prosecuted, offering attorneys significant efficiency gains. Here’s how to make the most of these tools and transform your workflow.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, and the field of intellectual property is no exception. Patent application drafting, traditionally a labor-intensive and detail-oriented process, has witnessed remarkable improvements with AI-powered tools. These technologies are helping patent professionals streamline workflows, enhance precision, and reduce costs. This comprehensive article explores the benefits, use cases, best practices, and tools for drafting patent applications with AI.

Drafting patent applications can be an arduous task. The process often requires several interactions with inventors to extract enough information to start the process, and then begins the exercise of turning that information into a coherent and detailed ~30 page patent specification. This of course takes time (and sometimes more than the proposed/estimated fee for the draft would allow). For this reason, patent drafting is sometimes considered a loss leader by those in private practice. 

‍

From another perspective, the cost of engaging a patent attorney to draft a patent application can be a huge barrier to the uptake of IP, particularly for start-ups and SMEs. Registered IP rights can mean a great deal to these types of applicants, both in terms of carving out a slice of the market and attractiveness to potential investors. Drafting patent applications has thus historically presented a ‘problem’ to both patent attorneys and their would-be clients. 

‍

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the game in this regard. Forward-thinking attorneys that have already started utilising AI, and those using Solve Intelligence’s Patent Drafting Copilot have reported considerable improvements in their drafting practices. Such improvements are capable of tackling the drafting problem, providing benefits to both attorneys and their clients or companies alike. We’ve highlighted some of these improvements below.

‍

In today's interconnected world, patent protection across multiple jurisdictions has become increasingly important for businesses and inventors. However, the complexity and cost of patent translations have long been a significant barrier to international patent protection. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is changing this landscape, offering new possibilities for faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective patent translations.

Boosting patent drafting efficiency by 40-60%, Scale LLP uses Patent Copilot™ to enhance quality, streamline workflows, and more.

The UK Supreme Court has granted permission for Emotional Perception AI to appeal the decision of the Court of Appeal of 19 July 2024, in the latest chapter in this potentially pivotal case addressing the patentability of computer-implemented inventions, specifically those involving artificial neural networks (ANNs).

Generative AI is already changing how patent attorneys work, and those that use AI platforms, such as Solve Intelligence’s Patent Copilot, are reporting efficiency gains and higher quality outputs.

As the uptake of generative AI increases amongst patent attorneys, professional bodies are starting to consider best-practice and standards for using this technology. 

‍

The European Patent Institute (epi) recently released comprehensive guidelines detailing how patent attorneys can responsibly integrate AI into their workflows. These guidelines emphasise ethics, professionalism, and accountability when using AI. In this article, we set out the key takeaways of the guidelines, and how, at Solve Intelligence, we empower attorneys to use AI in line with these guidelines, ensuring that our Patent Copilot remains a powerful but controllable tool for assisting in patent practice.

‍

Earlier this year, the EPO introduced new guidelines for examination relating to inventions concerning artificial intelligence (See G-II-3.3.1). The last paragraph of these guidelines suggest that applications to AI-related inventions may require specific disclosure surrounding any algorithms used by an AI invention, as well as any training data used to train the AI, where such training data is required to achieve the technical effect of the invention. 

‍

A change in the Guidelines usually reflects a change in thinking or application of the law by the EPO. Indeed, it’s always interesting to see how such changes are actually implemented in practice.  

‍

The recently issued decision T1669/21 of the EPO Board of Appeal provides useful insight into exactly what sorts of specific disclosure may be required to satisfy the sufficiency requirements for patent applications relating to AI inventions. 

‍

A recent T-decision of the Boards of Appeal (T 1741/22) has provided an interesting deviation in how the EPO assesses the requirement of inventive step, from both a previous decision (T 2681/16) and the EPO Guidelines for Examination.

‍

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already having a substantial impact in the practice of Intellectual Property (IP) Law, with platforms such as Solve Intelligence's Patent Copilot assisting attorneys in drafting and prosecuting patent applications. These AI platforms can help patent attorneys realise efficiency gains and help to provide high-quality patents. 

‍

Until earlier this year, the use of AI was largely unregulated across the world. Now, the picture has somewhat changed, with different countries implementing different strategies when it comes to regulating AI, to promote safety but also to remain competitive. Earlier this year, the Artificial Intelligence Act entered into force in the EU, becoming the world's first comprehensive regulation for AI. In this article we have a look at the obligations that the EU AI Act puts on AI technology providers, such as providers of AI patent drafting and prosecution tools.

‍

In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the filing of patent applications relating to AI-inventions at the EPO. In response to this, the EPO has started and continues to develop a framework for assessing the eligibility and patentability of AI inventions, with the introduction of new guidelines and evolving case law. This article outlines key considerations, common pitfalls, and best practices for drafting patent applications directed to AI inventions at the EPO.