Second Annual TechInLaw Symposium

Counsel Jessica Harrison was a panelist during the “Intellectual Property and AI – The Challenges Facing Attorneys in Respect to Patents, Copyright, Trademark and Trade Secrets” session at the Second Annual TechInLaw Symposium hosted by Richland County Bar Association and the SC Council on Competitiveness.

Panel Overview

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, it presents unique challenges and opportunities in intellectual property (IP) law. This panel explored the complexities attorneys face when navigating patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets in the context of AI technologies.

Topics included:

• Understanding the patentability of AI inventions and the intricacies of drafting and prosecuting AI-related patent applications;
• Addressing issues related to AI-generated works, including authorship, ownership, and infringement;
• Examining the impact of AI on brand protection, including the use of AI in trademark searches and enforcement; and
• Discussing the protection of proprietary AI algorithms and data, and the challenges in maintaining confidentiality.

The panel also discussed the ethical considerations attorneys must navigate when dealing with AI and IP, including ensuring that AI systems do not perpetuate biases and that IP protections are applied fairly, balancing the need for transparency in AI processes with the protection of trade secrets, and upholding ethical standards in advising clients on AI-related IP issues, including potential conflicts of interest and the duty to stay informed about technological advancements.