AI Inventorship Guidance
The USPTO recently rescinded its 2024 AI-inventorship guidance and clarified that the standard rules for determining inventorship apply — even when AI tools are used. Under the new guidance, a natural person must significantly contribute to each claim; AI cannot be treated as a co-inventor. For IP managers overseeing AI-assisted developments, this significantly impacts how you draft applications and attribute inventorship. It reinforces that human contribution must be documented and may influence who you name on patent filings. You should review any pending AI-assisted filings, ensure inventorship is properly determined, and update internal procedures for future AI-driven innovations.
Global Survey Shows Increased Awareness & Trust in IP
WIPO’s 2025 “WIPO Pulse” survey reveals rising global awareness and trust in IP systems — meaning public and stakeholder perception of patents, trademarks and designs is becoming more favorable. For IP teams, this represents both opportunity and responsibility. On one hand, stronger IP awareness can support arguments for enforcement, licensing value and corporate IP investments. On the other, increased scrutiny and expectations around legitimacy and transparency may require you to maintain stricter compliance standards. Especially for client-facing or business-unit advisory roles, this data helps reinforce the business case for building and maintaining robust IP portfolios.
Federal Circuit Affirms Win for Akamai Invalidating Streaming Patent Claims
A recent precedential ruling from the U.S. Federal Circuit found certain streaming-technology patent claims invalid for indefiniteness — due to multiple possible ways to meet a claim limitation without specification guidance. For IP managers, especially those overseeing software, tech, or streaming-related patents, this decision underscores the importance of clear claim drafting and specification detail. Ambiguous or broadly worded claims risk invalidation, which can jeopardize enforcement or licensing efforts. Now is a good time to review your active tech-patents, double-check claim clarity and technical support in specifications, and consider proactive amendment or re-drafting where appropriate.
The Personal Side of Patents: The Battle for Life-Saving Drugs
This article highlights the human and societal impact behind pharmaceutical patents — illustrating how patents enable investment in drug development, support innovators through long R&D cycles, and facilitate breakthroughs that save lives. For IP managers working in life sciences or biotech, it underlines the broader value of IP beyond legal protection: patents serve as foundational business-case support for R&D, funding rounds, and long-term development planning. When communicating with stakeholders, regulators, or investors, you can leverage this perspective to reinforce why a strong and well-managed patent portfolio is more than a compliance measure — it’s a long-term investment in innovation and public health.
Use these updates to reevaluate your filing strategies, strengthen your internal IP governance, and ensure your portfolio’s value remains aligned with evolving legal standards, market perceptions, and innovation priorities.
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