In today’s fast-paced environment, law firms and businesses are under increasing pressure to keep up with the growing demands of intellectual property (IP) management. Filing patent applications and performing related IP work can be very time-sensitive, with attorneys often expected to turn around work at the last minute to meet deadlines relating to product-releases or entries to the market from competitors, for example. It can be very difficult to predict future workflow, and managing all aspects in-house can be costly and inefficient. This is where patent outsourcing comes in as a valuable solution to help streamline operations. By outsourcing patent work, firms can focus on their core competencies while benefiting from external expertise and cost savings.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made its mark on numerous industries, revolutionizing processes that were once labor-intensive, error-prone, and time-consuming. In the realm of intellectual property (IP), AI is becoming an essential tool, with applications ranging from prior art searches to automating patent drafting. Among these breakthroughs, AI patent figure generation is one of the most promising, offering significant improvements in the way technical drawings are created for patent applications.

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Patent figures are a crucial part of the patent filing process, serving as visual representations of inventions. These drawings must be clear, accurate, and compliant with the strict requirements of patent offices around the world. Traditionally, this task required the skills of professional draftsmen or patent illustrators. However, advancements in AI patent figure tools have the potential to streamline this process, reducing time, cost, and errors while improving the overall quality and accessibility of patent drawings.

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This article will explore how AI tools for patent figure drafting work, their benefits, and the key features likely to shape the future of patent figure creation.

The process of patent drafting, from drafting applications to responding to office actions, can be time-consuming and intricate. Fortunately, AI tools have emerged as game-changers for patent professionals, simplifying the process and improving accuracy. In this article, we’ll explore the top AI patent drafting tools for 2024 and highlight key features, benefits, and how these tools are reshaping the patenting landscape.

In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has begun to play an increasingly important role in various industries, and intellectual property (IP) is no exception. One of the key areas where AI has the potential to make a significant impact is patent claim mapping and analysis, which are critical components of any robust IP strategy. These processes, which traditionally relied on manual efforts, involve identifying and linking patent claims to specific elements within a product or technology. This provides insights into the strengths and weaknesses of a company’s patent portfolio and helps shape future IP strategies. However, manual mapping and analysis are time-consuming, resource-intensive, and prone to errors. The introduction of AI into this domain is not just a technological advancement but could yet provide transformative change that has the potential to revolutionize how patents are managed and leveraged.

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into the legal industry, its potential to transform legal research, document drafting, and decision-making is clear. Generative AI tools, driven by large language models (LLMs), offer significant efficiency gains and new capabilities. However, with these advancements come notable risks, one of the most concerning being AI hallucinations. This article delves into the nature of AI hallucinations, their causes, the specific risks they pose in legal contexts, and strategies to mitigate these risks to ensure that legal AI tools remain reliable and trustworthy.

As AI technology continues to evolve, patent prosecution has seen a transformative shift with the introduction of Generative AI tools. In the context of European patent prosecution, both European patent attorneys and the European Patent Office (EPO) are now either using or considering using AI tools to streamline what has historically been a complex and time-consuming process. Here, we look at the applications of Gen-AI to European prosecution and the benefits it can provide.

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

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. 

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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.  

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

The rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping numerous industries, including the legal profession. For U.S. lawyers, AI tools offer tremendous potential to improve efficiency, accuracy, and speed in completing routine and complex tasks alike. However, alongside the benefits of these powerful tools come ethical considerations. This article explores these ethical challenges in detail, particularly in light of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) recent Formal Opinion 512, which provides guidance for the ethical use of generative AI in legal practice.

As global innovation accelerates, the United Kingdom finds itself at a critical juncture. Despite ranking among the top nations in the world for innovation, UK businesses, particularly SMEs, are falling behind in securing international patent protection. A recent report from The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) reveals a concerning trend: while global patent filings hit record numbers, British companies are struggling to keep pace, risking their competitive edge in key international markets. In an increasingly interconnected world, securing international patents is not just a strategic advantage - it's a necessity for financial growth, enabling companies to maximise the commercial potential of their innovations on a global scale.