QMIPRI Conference 2024 - AI Frontiers in Intellectual Property Law: Navigating the Future

When: Thursday, June 27, 2024 - Friday, June 28, 2024, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: The Ashworth Centre, The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, London WC2A 3TL

On Thursday 27 and Friday 28 June 2024, QMIPRI held the International Conference on AI and Intellectual Property Law at The Ashworth Centre in The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, London. This ground-breaking event brought together leading minds from the academic, legal and technological sectors to explore the dynamic intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and intellectual property (IP) law.

As AI technologies continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace, they bring forth new challenges and opportunities within the realm of intellectual property. The conference delved into critical issues such as copyright and patent law in the age of AI, trade secrecy and AI technology, and the future landscape of AI innovation and IP rights protection.

Key Highlights:

• Expert Speakers and Panelists: Attendees heard from a distinguished line-up of speakers, including renowned academics, legal practitioners, scholars, and industry experts, who shared their insights on the latest trends, challenges, and advancements in AI and IP law.
• Interactive Panel Discussion: The conference engaged in thought-provoking panel discussion on topics such as the implications of AI for copyright and patent systems, trade secrecy and AI technology, the role of IP in fostering AI innovation, and strategies for navigating the legal complexities of AI technologies in IP’s ecosystem.
• Networking Opportunities: Attendees connected with peers, industry leaders, and innovators in the field of AI and IP law, expanding their network and exploring collaborative opportunities in an interactive setting.

Agenda:

Day 1 - 27/6/24

13:00 – 13:45  Registration & Coffee

13:45 – 14:10 Welcome words - Professor Noam Shemtov and Professor Duncan Matthews (Directors, Queen Mary Intellectual Property Research Institute)

14:10 – 15:25  AI in the Creative Industries: Explore the impact of AI on creative industries, including the use of AI in music, art and literature, with particular focus on training AI models on copyright protected content. Panellists/Speakers: Florian Koempel (QMIPRI and UK Music), Constance Herreman Follain (Director of Legal and Policy – CISAC), Professor Noam Shemtov (QMIPRI, QMUL)

15:30 – 16:55  The Future of Copyright in the AI Era: The concept of authorship in the era of AI assisted works. Panellists/Speakers: Professor Johanna Gibson (QMIPRI, QMUL), Professor Eleonora Rosati (QMIPRI and Stockholm University), James St. Ville KC (8 New Square)

17:00 – 19:00 – Drinks Reception, Poster Competition and Networking

Day 2 - 28/6/24

08:30 – 09:00  Coffee

09:00 – 09:05  Welcome Words  

09:05 – 09:50  Keynote Speech: Lord Justice Richard Arnold (Royal Courts of Justice)

09:50 – 11:05  Patenting AI Innovation: Focusing on the complexities of patenting core and applied AI technologies, including the criteria for patentability, the concept of inventorship and international patent strategies for AI innovation. Panellists/Speakers: Alexander Korenberg (Partner, Kilburn & Strode), Professor Duncan Matthews (QMIPRI, QMUL), Dr. Francesca Mazzi (Brunel University)

11:05 – 11:25 Coffee Break

11:25 – 12:40  Trade Secrets and AI: focusing on the importance of trade secrets in protecting AI technologies, legal strategies for IP protection in light of the EU AI Act. Panellists/Speakers: Dr. Ulla-Maija Mylly (Hanken School of Economics), Frances Wilding (Partner, Haseltine Lake Kempner), John Hull (Visiting Professorial Fellow, QMIPRI, QMUL)

12:40 – 14:10  Lunch Break

14:10 – 15:25  Generative AI Trade Mark Law and Unfair Competition Law Aspects: AI technology and the mechanics of the AI system, Deepfakes and more. Panellists/Speakers: Dr. Viltė Kristina Dessers (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven), Professor Anselm Kamperman Sanders (Maastricht University), Dr. Jasem Tarawneh (QMIPRI, QMUL)

15:25 – 15:45  Coffee Break

15:45 – 16:50  Roundtable Discussion

16:50 – 17:00 – Closing Remarks – Professor Noam Shemtov and Professor Duncan Matthews (Directors, Queen Mary Intellectual Property Research Institute)

Poster Exhibition:

QMIPRI welcomed early career researchers, including those pursuing LLM or PhD studies, to partake in the competition and to present their innovative research and discoveries on the theme of AI and IP to an international audience of peers and experts. This was an opportunity to foster connections that extend beyond geographical and disciplinary boundaries.

Selected posters were displayed at the conference venue, captivating attendees with their visionary perspectives and forward-thinking approaches. Poster authors had the opportunity to present their findings during dedicated sessions carefully integrated into the conference schedule, facilitating engaging discussions with fellow attendees.

We extend our gratitude to the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) for their continued support, offering prestigious prizes for the second consecutive year, with a first prize of £300, a second prize of £200, and a third prize of £100 to recognize excellence in poster presentations.

Congratulations to our competition winners!

QMIPRI Conference 2024 Poster Competition Poster [PDF 1,884KB]