Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Intellectual Property Law: A Critical Review
Article Sidebar
-
Artificial Intelligence, Legal Reform, Patent Law
Abstract
Background. The rapid development of artificial intelligence has profoundly transformed creative and innovative practices, raising complex challenges for existing intellectual property law frameworks. Legal regimes governing copyright and patents were historically constructed around human authorship, inventorship, and intentional creativity, assumptions that are increasingly strained by the emergence of autonomous and generative AI systems.
Purpose. This study aims to critically review how contemporary intellectual property law responds to the growing role of artificial intelligence and to assess whether current doctrines remain conceptually and normatively adequate.
Method. The research adopts a qualitative doctrinal and critical review method, analyzing statutes, policy documents, judicial decisions, and peer-reviewed literature related to artificial intelligence and intellectual property law across multiple jurisdictions.
Results. The findings reveal persistent legal uncertainty, doctrinal rigidity, and fragmented regulatory approaches, with most legal systems favoring reinterpretation of human-centric concepts rather than substantive reform. The analysis also highlights significant divergence between jurisdictions in balancing innovation incentives, ethical concerns, and legal certainty.
Conclusion. The study concludes that incremental doctrinal adaptation alone is insufficient to address the structural challenges posed by artificial intelligence. A more integrated and forward-looking legal framework is required to reconcile technological autonomy with the foundational objectives of intellectual property law and to ensure its continued relevance in the age of artificial intelligence.
Full text article
References
Alamri, F. (2025). Copyright Law in Photographic Works: Authorship, Originality, and Protection. In Copyr. Law in Photographic Works: Authorship, Originality, and Protection (p. 273). Taylor and Francis. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003586555
Alawsi, H., Al-Ayash, A. A., Ibrahim, F. M., & Mohammed, M. N. (2025). Balancing Innovation and Protection: Intellectual Property Law in the Era of Digital Transformation. In Stud. Syst. Decis. Control (Vol. 234, pp. 413–422). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-84636-6_35
Albnian, A., Alghathian, G., & Allouzi, A. (2025). Challenges of protecting electronic works in the era of artificial intelligence: A legal and doctrinal perspective. Frontiers in Human Dynamics, 7. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3389/fhumd.2025.1701267
Aronov, A., & Idrysheva, S. (2025). COPYRIGHT PROTECTION ON WORKS GENERATED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. Science and Innovation, 21(1), 112–124. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.15407/scine21.01.112
Berkowitz, A. E. (2025). Digital Sweat from the Virtual Brow: An Examination of Generative AI Labor and Production of Intellectual Property. Philosophy and Technology, 38(4). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-025-01004-1
Chamouni, G., Lococo, F., Sassorossi, C., Atuhaire, N., Ádány, R., & Varga, O. (2025). Ethical and legal concerns in artificial intelligence applications for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer: A scoping review. Frontiers in Public Health, 13. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1663298
Chyc, P. (2025). European Legal Regulations on the Operation of Artificial Intelligence. Prawo i Wiez, 59(6), 193–224. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.36128/nzbvfz76
Dhavan, A., Parmar, Y., Gupta, S., Verma, A., Agarwal, V., & Thangaraja, T. (2025). ETHICAL MANAGEMENT OF AI-PRODUCED DIGITAL WORKS. ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts, 6(2s), 78–88. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v6.i2s.2025.6720
Gaffar, H., & Al-Barashdi, S. (2025). Copyright Protection for AI-Generated Works: Exploring Originality and Ownership in a Digital Landscape. Asian Journal of International Law, 15(1), 23–46. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2044251323000735
Gaidartzi, A., & Stamatoudi, I. (2025). Authorship and Ownership Issues Raised by AI-Generated Works: A Comparative Analysis. Laws, 14(4). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3390/laws14040057
Ghidini, G. (2025). Diverging Approaches to Intellectual Property and a Reform Proposal Prompted by AI. GRUR International, 74(5), 416–429. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1093/grurint/ikaf026
He, S., & Zhang, M. (2025). Boosting Artistic Creativity in Chinese Primary School Children via AI Technology. Proc. Int. Conf. Digit. Syst. Des. Innov., ICDSDI, 131–137. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1145/3759275.3759295
Jana, S., & Goswami, A. (2026). Artificial Intelligence Redefined Authorship: An Unprecedented Evolution in the Field of Art and Literature. In Stud. Syst. Decis. Control (Vol. 645, pp. 337–348). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-10016-0_27
Jane?ková, E. (2025). Copyright and Patent Laws for the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Authorship and Inventorship Revisited. In Copyr. And Pat. Laws for the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Authorship and Inventorship Revisit. (p. 218). Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781509976263
Khan, F., & Mer, A. (2025). Chapter 7: Embracing Artificial Intelligence Technology: Legal Implications with Special Reference to European Union Initiatives of Data Protection. Contemporary Studies in Economic and Financial Analysis, 111C(1), 119–141. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1569-37592023000111C007
Khoury, P. E. (2025). Balancing Innovation and Copyright: Legal Challenges in the AI Era. Revue Juridique de l’USEK, (25). Scopus. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105013108135&partnerID=40&md5=b3b222dceb06aee7472d657625a2c4fd
Koutsopoulos, G., Kniby, N., Wiman, P., Karina-Berzina, I., & Stirna, J. (2025). CLAIM: A Tool for Analyzing Legal Documents. In J. Grabis, Y. Wautelet, E. Laurenzi, H.-F. Witschel, P. Haase, M. Montali, C. Cabanillas, A. Marrella, M. Resinas, & K. Winter (Eds.), CEUR Workshop Proc. (Vol. 3996, pp. 11–19). CEUR-WS. Scopus. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105011082228&partnerID=40&md5=a7bb49e358cee890749d01bf9529c168
Koutsopoulos, G., Kniby, N., Wiman, P., Karina-Berzina, I., & Stirna, J. (2026). Conceptual Modeling and AI in the Service of Legal Analysis: A Design Science Project. In R. Deneckère, M. Kirikova, & J. Grabis (Eds.), Lect. Notes Bus. Inf. Process.: 562 LNBIP (pp. 272–285). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-04375-7_17
Kumar Tyagi, P. K., Kumar Singh, A. K., Kaushik, K., & Nadda, V. (2025). Business Transformation and Digital Innovation in the Service Sector. In Bus. Transform. And Digit. Innov. In the Serv. Sect. (p. 304). CRC Press. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003485599
Lal, S., Arora, M. K., Raghav, A., & Singh, B. (2025). Assessing Existing Legal Frameworks and Their Adaptability to Al Advancements. In Secur. Intell. In the Age of AI: Navig. Leg. And Ethical Framew. (pp. 189–202). Emerald Publishing. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83608-156-220251011
März, J. W., Baumgartner, M., Blau, N., & Biller-Andorno, N. (2025). Digital twins for children with rare diseases: An exploration of the legal and ethical issues. Ethics and Information Technology, 27(3). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-025-09848-z
Mhia-Alddin, D. A., & Hussein, A. M. (2025). Contract expiry in AI-driven STM research: Legal challenges, risks, and regulatory considerations. In Ensuring Secure and Ethical STM Res. In the AI Era (pp. 77–109). IGI Global. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-4252-8.ch003
Mohanta, A., Garikapati, K., Shreya, S., Biswal, N., & Kanungo, A. (2025). Cybernetic Intelligence in Intellectual Property Law: AI-Driven Innovation, Detection, and Ethical Challenges. In Modern Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence and Law (pp. 89–124). IGI Global. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-9576-9.ch006
Mondal, R. (2025). Ethical Consideration in Assisted Living Technology in Healthcare. In Ser.: Responsible Technology and Intelligence: Ambient Assisted Living Technological Advances (pp. 309–327). Taylor and Francis. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003570134-17
Mondal, R., & Banerjee, P. (2025). Copyright under the Regime of Artificial Intelligence: Redefining Creativity. Journal of Intellectual Property Rights, 30(1), 45–50. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.56042/jipr.v30i1.6166
Murugesan, P., & Radhika, R. (2025). Ethical and legal considerations of generative AI. In Gener. AI Unleashed: Adv., transform. Appl. And future front. (pp. 207–254). Institution of Engineering and Technology. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1049/PBPC076E_ch11
Najar, A. M., Kumar, D., Dua, S., & Dua, S. (2025). Ethical and Legal Implications of AI in Entrepreneurship. In Transforming Bus. Education through Artificial Intelligence (pp. 295–319). Apple Academic Press. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781998511471-15
Oyeniran, K. A., Oyeniran, O. H., & Oladunmoye, K. M. (2025). Artificial Intelligence, Innovation, and Safety in Biotechnology Research. In Cases on AI Innovations in Occupational Health and Saf. (pp. 73–98). IGI Global. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-9301-7.ch004
Özcan Büyüktan?r, B. G. Ö., & Gözübüyük, B. (2025). Can artificial intelligence be subject to patent protection under Turkish law? In Leg. And Econ. Perspectives on the Nexus of AI and Copyr. (pp. 315–328). IGI Global. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-8704-7.ch015
Pham, T. (2025). Ethical and legal considerations in healthcare AI: Innovation and policy for safe and fair use. Royal Society Open Science, 12(5). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.241873
Ramírez-Plascencia, D. (2025). Artificial Intelligence, Copyright, and Media: An Analysis of Journalism in Latin America from an International Perspective. In Ethical and Legal Dilemmas of Artificial Intelligence in Lat. America (pp. 21–39). Springer Science+Business Media. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-86540-4_2
Sarsembayeva, S., Aituganova, S., Kopbosynov, M., & Kulibekova, Z. (2025). Artificial Intelligence and the Simulacrum in Literature. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(6), 56–67. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i6.9477
Shweiki, H. S. S., & Alazzawi, S. (2025). Artificial Intelligence and the Law. In Stud. Syst. Decis. Control (Vol. 234, pp. 545–553). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-84636-6_47
Tammenlehto, L., & Kallio, H. (2025). Artificial Intelligence, Criminal Infringement and Intent – Is the Protection Really Equal for All Works? IIC International Review of Intellectual Property and Competition Law, 56(5), 939–969. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40319-025-01592-7
Tobias, A. V., & Wahab, A. (2025). Autonomous ‘self-driving’ laboratories: A review of technology and policy implications. Royal Society Open Science, 12(7). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.250646
Tripathi, P., Tripathi, P., & Mansoori, M. N. (2025). Emerging Role of Digital Library in Evaluating Copyright Regulations. In Cyberology: An Optimized Approach to the Cyber-World (pp. 329–347). CRC Press. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003409571-20
Tsebee, D., Bashir, R., Adaramola, V., Adesokan, B., & Sarumi, A. (2025). Enhancing creativity and innovation through the protection of AI-generated works: An analysis of international legal systems and lessons for Africa. International Review of Law, Computers and Technology. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1080/13600869.2025.2506923
Yashasvi, V., & Singh, R. (2025). Copyright and Artificial Intelligence: Authorship V. Ownership Conundrum. In Secur. Intell. In the Age of AI: Navig. Leg. And Ethical Framew. (pp. 291–300). Emerald Publishing. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83608-156-220251018
