Computer scientist Stephen Thaler has filed a petition for the U.S. Supreme Court to review his case claiming that AI systems can qualify as inventors under patent law. Thaler wants the high court to reverse a Federal Circuit decision, which ruled that AI systems cannot hold patents on their inventions because they aren't "natural people."
- Thaler
has argued that his AI system named DABUS, or "Device for the
Autonomous Bootstrapping of Unified Science," should be listed as an
inventor on patents.
- Thaler says the AI machine invented two devices, an insulating food container and a flashing light for emergencies.
- In
his Supreme Court petition, Thaler wrote that denying patents to AI
systems "curtails our patent system's ability — and thwarts Congress's
intent — to optimally stimulate innovation and technological progress."
- Last August, U.S. Circuit Judge Leonard Stark ruled that inventors can only be human beings under the U.S. Patent Act.
- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit later turned down Thaler's request for a rehearing. At the time, Thaler's attorney said they planned to appeal the case to the Supreme Court.
