With Dublin IP and R&D Summit 2.0 (DIPS) under two months away, it’s time to refresh your IP knowledge with our IP round-up! We have selected 5 hot topics you may have missed from January 2022.
Want to receive an ‘IRL’ IP update? Check out the end of this post for details on how to join Cosmonauts at DIPS this March, plus a way to save 20% on all tickets to DIPS 2022.
1. Google and Samsung top applications for AI-related patents
Applications for AI-related patents at the European Patent Office are on the rise, with more and more entities seeking protection for their ideas.
Since 2014, there has been a boom in AI filings, listed under the classification of G06N at the EPO. And, between 2016 and 2020 just over 4,000 applications, from 1,000 different applicants, were published.
At the forefront of these applicants are tech giants, Google and Samsung, with the highest number of published applications for AI at the EPO between 2016 and 2020.
Click here to learn more.
2. League of Legends creator sues Imba Network for copyright infringement
Major games developer Riot Games is suing the Vietnamese developer Imba Network for their autobattler ‘I am Hero: AFK Tactical Teamfight’.
Riot has accused Imba of stealing character lore, likeness and stories for its game – claiming it to be a “knock-off” of ‘Teamfight Tactics’, a League of Legends inspired auto battler.
Riot is seeking $150,000 for each case of copyright infringement. Imba is currently denying the claim that they directly copied from Riot, ignoring the cease-and-desist letter which Riot lawyers have already filed with Imba.
A lawsuit requesting the court to restrict Imba from selling its game has been filed in the State of California.
You can find out more here.
3. Microsoft has invested $50 million into sustainable fuels company LanzaJet
Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund has invested $50 million in LanzaJet’s alcohol-to-jet fuel biorefinery, contributing to Microsoft’s commitment to being carbon-negative by 2030.
The investment will go toward the construction of the Freedom Pines Fuels Plant in Georgia.
LanzaTech’s patented process holds the key to converting the carbon-rich wastes produced by industries, such as steel manufacturing, into ethanol.
LanzaJet predicts that its Freedom Pines Fuels plan will produce 10 million gallons of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel by 2023.
Click here to learn more.
4. UK Court rules that AI cannot be named as inventor on patent applications
In September 2021, a London court ruled that artificial intelligence systems can not be named as an inventor on UK patent applications.
The decision follows the case of Thaler v Comptroller-General; a case brought against the UK Intellectual Property Office after it rejected two patent applications which named Stephen Thaler’s AI machine Dabus as the inventor.
In December 2021, the EPO also confirmed that the inventor on a patent application must be a human being.
You can find out more here.
5. JPMorgan to acquire a 49% stake in Viva Wallet
JP Morgan has entered into an agreement with leading European cloud-based payments fintech company Viva Wallet.
Viva Wallet, founded in 2000, provides card acceptance services through its proprietary, cloud-based payments platform. In 2020 the company launched Apple Pay and Google Pay in 18 countries, providing clients with access to digital business debit cards.
The strategic investment into Viva Wallet and their technology will contribute to JP Morgan’s Payments business and the development of its integrated payments experience.
To find out more click here.
Left wanting more industry knowledge on the latest Intellectual Property trends?
Take your learning from virtual to IRL at Dublin IP and R&D Summit 2.0!
#DIPS will be taking place between the 22nd and 23rd of March 2022 in Dublin, with panel discussions and presentations taking place in the stunning event spaces of the iconic Convention Centre Dublin.
The conference will cover the most contemporary trends in the world of innovation across two days of activity. Starting with a full day IP Commercialisation Workshop run by Mathys &Squire Consulting, followed by a Conference and Exhibition Day chaired by Joe Doyle of Enterprise Ireland. And, after two full days of expanding your knowledge and taking advantage of networking opportunities, you can enjoy an evening of drinks at our drinks reception.
You can find out more about the different speakers and other #DIPS related news through our blogs and event page.
The conference is under two months away, if you subscribe to our website today you can receive a 20% discount on your ticket.
Find out more about our sponsors for DIPS 2022
Check out our ‘Let’s Talk IP’ series for more information on the latest news and trends in IP.
