Intellectual Property and Frontier Technologies
The last two decades have seen an explosion of technologies that are transforming how we work and live in an increasingly interconnected digital world. The emergence and merging of frontier technologies is at the heart of what is sometimes termed Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0. Frontier technologies are changing how we do business, how we innovate and create and the rate of change is increasing exponentially.
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Frontier technologies provide opportunities for economic growth. In order to harness these opportunities for all, we need to ensure that the intellectual property (IP) system continues to foster innovation and creation and that the systems for IP administration evolve.
The field of frontier technologies is rapidly evolving and although there is no agreed definition for this concept, frontier technologies share some common features. They operate at the intersection of radical scientific developments and real-world implementation. Furthermore, they are changing the way we communicate, solve problems, provide goods and services, create and do business. Frontier technologies could be described as advanced technology that can address global issues.
Examples of frontier technologies
Frontier technologies include:
- digital technologies, such as the Internet of things (loT), blockchain, the metaverse, artificial intelligence (Al), including GenAI, big data and cloud computing
- physical technologies, such as autonomous driving, 3D printing and hardware innovations and
- biological technologies such as genetic engineering, human augmentation and the brain-computer-interface.
Data and intangible assets are the bedrock of our new, digitalized world. IP is rapidly gaining increasing importance over physical assets.
The IP system that we have today was developed with a focus on human creation and innovation and to encourage the development of technologies that enabled production process and trade of physical products. The IP system was also designed when the speed of innovation and creation was much slower than it is today.
One of the important tasks that we face today is to ensure that the current IP system continues to promote innovation in the age of frontier technologies.
In the new digital age, innovation and creation are happening much faster. The number of IP filings are increasing rapidly but also subject to more volatile ups and downs. Markets are globalizing and intangible assets are flowing much more freely across borders.
Frontier technologies have the potential to make IP and the IP system easier to access, more efficient and more understandable.
At WIPO, the IP and Frontier Technologies Division facilitates discussion and knowledge building among Member States and other stakeholders on the impact of frontier technologies on IP to support well-informed policy choices. The WIPO Conversation on IP and Frontier Technologies is the main strand to that engagement.
The Division provides practical tools and guidance to help us all navigate IP questions in the new digital world and runs diverse projects in support of inclusive IP and innovation ecosystem.
WIPO also develops practical guidance and tools relating to frontier technologies and IP and assists in the knowledge transfer and technology adaptation of platforms and tools for IP administration that utilize frontier technologies.
The Tenth Session of the WIPO Conversation - AI Output: To protect, or not to protect – that is the IP question, is going to be held on November 5 and 6 2024, and is going to explore timely discussions around the IP Protection status of AI generated outputs.
To allow as wide participation as possible, the WIPO Conversation on IP and Frontier Technologies is held in a hybrid form. Onsite presence is limited to official representatives of the WIPO Member States and Observers. Virtual participation is open to all and there are plenty of options to participate actively with questions and interventions. Let us know if you want to be involved in the discussion.
The Ninth Session of the WIPO Conversation – Training the Machines – Bytes, Rights and the Copyright Conundrum took place on March 13 and 14, 2024 and attracted over 3000 registrants from 145 countries.
WIPO Conversation – AI OUTPUT: TO PROTECT, OR NOT TO PROTECT – THAT IS THE IP QUESTION
November 5 and 6, 2024