A Study on Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property Rights: Legal Issues and Future Perspectives

Abstract

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies has introduced significant challenges to traditional Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) frameworks. This study examines the complex legal issues arising from AI-generated inventions, creative works, and data-driven innovations, focusing on the adequacy of existing patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret regimes. It critically analyzes questions surrounding authorship, inventorship, ownership, liability, and the protection of training data within AI systems.
The research explores global legal developments, including judicial decisions and policy debates in the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and Asia, concerning whether AI systems can be recognized as inventors or authors. It also addresses concerns related to algorithmic transparency, data mining exceptions, and the intersection between AI innovation and public interest principles. Particular attention is given to emerging regulatory models and the need for harmonized international standards to address cross-border challenges in AI-driven innovation.
Through comparative legal analysis, the study highlights the tension between encouraging technological advancement and safeguarding human creativity and economic rights. The findings suggest that while existing IPR systems provide partial solutions, substantial doctrinal and legislative reforms may be necessary to accommodate AI-generated outputs and collaborative human–machine innovation. The paper concludes by proposing adaptive, technology-neutral legal frameworks that balance innovation incentives, ethical considerations, and equitable access to knowledge in the AI era.