When AI invents – Implications for the future of innovation

The LTS hub is delighted to bring a timely conversation with Robert Peake (Parter, Keystone Law) and Prof Ryan Abbott (Consultant Solicitor Advocate, Keystone Law, and author of The Reasonable Robot: Artificial Intelligence and the Law) on the question of AI inventorship and the DABUS litigation in UK courts. Prof Christoph Rademacher (Waseda University and Webb Fellow, LSE) will act as discussant, making comparative reference to the legal situation concerning AI and IP in other jurisdictions, including Japan.

 In a previous outing of the DABUS case in the UK Supreme Court ([2023] UKSC 49), it was confirmed that the Patents Act 1977 requires a human inventor to be named in a patent application.  The UK High Court has recently issued its decision in DABUS [2025] EWHC 2202 (Ch), dismissing an appeal of the latest refusal of Dr. Thaler’s patent application, which in this instance named Dr. Thaler himself as the inventor, rather than his AI, DABUS. The Court of Appeal has now been asked to reconsider the appeal, and in particular to clarify whether Dr. Thaler’s past statements on the role of DABUS in the inventive process prevent him now from stating that he is the true inventor. Keystone Law are the solicitors for Dr Thaler. 

Speakers:

• Robert Peake, Partner, Keystone Law
• Prof Ryan Abbott, Keystone Law and University of Surrey

Chair:

• Siva Thambisetty, LSE Law School

Discussant:

• Prof Christoph Rademacher (Waseda University, Tokyo and Beatrice Webb Visiting Fellow, LSE)

Speaker and Discussant bios:

Robert Peake: https://www.keystonelaw.com/lawyers/robert-peake

Prof Ryan Abbott: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/people/ryan-abbott 

Prof Christoph Rademacher: https://www.rclip.jp/rademacher-en

The event is highly recommended for all LLB and LLM IP students.

 This seminar will operate on a first-come, first-served basis.