E-Commerce Times Talkback

Re: Robots and the Law: Will the Real Inventor Please Stand Up?
Posted by: Robert W. Stevenson, Joseph F. Murphy
& Thomas J. Clare 2009-04-28 08:37:02

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Earlier this month, the journal Science published a report about a robot that could
formulate hypotheses, perform experiments to test those hypotheses, and thereby contribute to scientific knowledge. This technological advance raises legal concerns: Based on current law, if a robot conceived the idea for an "invention," this invention might not have the possibility for patent protection in the United States, possibly leaving the owner or lessee of the robot to depend only on Trade Secret law for the protection of the invention.

Robot invention
Posted by: XrayVision 2009-11-10 15:24:13 In reply to: Robert W. Stevenson, Joseph F. Murphy
& Thomas J. Clare

Corporations are already legally considered "persons" for many aspects of the law. While I think that is ridiculous, it is pretty much settled. A robot is a more realistic person than a corporation, so I don't see how it can't eventually come to be.

Robots and patent laws.
Posted by: DracX 2009-11-10 02:21:53 In reply to: Robert W. Stevenson, Joseph F. Murphy
& Thomas J. Clare

This article made me think about the possibility of a new form of laws (patent law), concerning robots, and their inventions. Very interesting story to say the least.