Guidance

Examining patent applications relating to artificial intelligence (AI) inventions

TheseGuidelines includeand thescenarios guidelineexplaining forhow examinationthe ofIPO examines AI and illustrative scenarios.inventions.

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The guidance is in two parts:

a) The Guidanceguidelines set outsout the legal framework for examining patent applications for or using Artificialartificial Intelligenceintelligence and how this will be applied.

b) The Scenariosscenarios provide a number of practical illustrations based on an abridged patent specification. Each scenario includes ana basic analysis showing how thethe IPO would IPO would apply the guidance.

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Published a22 copy

TheSeptember Guidance2022
Last updated 7 May 2024 + show all updates

  1. Paragraphs 32 to 39 of the guidelines are added to discuss the judgment in Emotional Perception AI Ltd v Comptroller-General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks [2023] EWHC 2948 (Ch). Paragraphs 7, 112, 125, 127 and 128 of the guidelines are edited following the Emotional Perception judgment. Paragraphs 47, 48, 59, 64, 65, 69, 109, 110, and 135 of the guidelines are added to discuss decisions of the Comptroller concerning AI inventions. Scenarios 13 to 15 are availableedited asto asay PDFthey onare request.not Pleaseexcluded emailfollowing information@ipo.gov.ukthe forEmotional aPerception copy.judgment.