Source: MLex

MLex reports on Japan’s recent decision to deny a patent application filed on behalf of the AI system DABUS, reaffirming the requirement that only human inventors can be recognized under Japanese patent law. The ruling aligns Japan with other major jurisdictions, including the US and EU, which have similarly rejected DABUS-related patent applications.

The case has reignited the global debate on whether AI systems should be recognized as inventors, with legal experts emphasizing the challenges traditional intellectual property frameworks face in accommodating AI-generated innovations. The article explores the implications for future patent law reforms, as some argue that excluding AI as an inventor could stifle innovation, while others stress the importance of maintaining human accountability in the patent system.

Japan’s decision further highlights the lack of international consensus on this issue, raising concerns about fragmented global IP laws and the need for harmonized regulations to address the complexities introduced by AI in the innovation landscape.