Artificial intelligences as inventors: Reflections on the Thaler v. Commissioner of Patents case in relation to Brazilian law

Authors

  • Clarindo Epaminondas de Sá Neto Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC)
  • Daniel Ivonesio Santos Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC)
  • Caio Eduardo de Souza Dias Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC)

Keywords:

Artificial intelligence, Industrial property rights, Comparative law, Patent, Inventor

Abstract

The article explores the possibility of recognizing artificial intelligences as inventors under Brazilian law, based on the Thaler v. Commissioner of Patents case ruled by the Federal Court of Australia in 2021. It analyzes the similarities between the Australian and Brazilian legal systems, emphasizing the lack of a legal definition for "inventor" and the feasibility of deriving patent rights from an artificial intelligence. The conclusion suggests that Brazilian Industrial Property Law allows, in principle, such recognition, though it raises questions about legal personality and procedural capacity.

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References

ABBOTT, Ryan. The Artificial Inventor behind this project. 2021. Disponível em: [https://artificialinventor.com/dabus]. Acesso em: 28.10.2021.

APO – AUSTRALIAN PATENT OFFICE. Stephen L. Thaler [2021] APO 5. 2021. Disponível em: [https://austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/APO//2021/5.html#]. Acesso em: 28.10.2021.

BARBOSA, Denis Borges. Uma introdução à propriedade intelectual. 2. ed. rev. e atual. Rio de Janeiro: Lumen Juris, 2003.

DABUS. Recipiente de alimentos e dispositivos e métodos para atrair uma maior atenção. Depositante: Stephen L. Thaler. BR n. 112021008931-4 A2. Depósito: 7 maio 2021. Disponível em: [https://busca.inpi.gov.br/pePI/jsp/patentes/PatenteSearchBasico.jsp]. Acesso em: 12.11.2021.

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HALLEVY, Gabriel. When robots kill: artificial intelligence under criminal law. Boston: N University Press, 2013.

KNOWLES, Tom. Patently brilliant... AI listed as inventor for first time. The Times, 28 jul. 2021. Disponível em: [https://thetimes.co.uk/article/patently-brilliant-ai-listed-as-inventor-for-first-time-mqj3s38mr]. Acesso em: 08.11.2021.

LANDES, William M.; POSNER, Richard. A. The economic structure of intellectual property law. Cambridge, Massachusetts, London: Belknap, 2003.

TEUBNER, Gunther. Rights of non-humans? Electronic agents and animals as new actors in politics and law. Journal of Law and Society, v. 33, n. 4, p. 497-521, 2006.

Referência jurisprudencial:

AUSTRALIAN. Federal Court of Australia. Thaler v. Commissioner of Patents [2021] FCA 879. Autor: Stephen L. Thaler. Réu: Commissioner of Patents. Juiz Federal Beach. Victoria, 30 jul. 2021. Disponível em: [https://judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Judgments/fca/single/2021/2021fca0879]. Acesso em: 28.10.2021.

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Published

2025-04-25

How to Cite

SÁ NETO, Clarindo Epaminondas de; SANTOS, Daniel Ivonesio; DIAS, Caio Eduardo de Souza. Artificial intelligences as inventors: Reflections on the Thaler v. Commissioner of Patents case in relation to Brazilian law. Journal of Contemporary Private Law, [S. l.], v. 40, n. 11, p. 433–449, 2025. Disponível em: https://ojs.direitocivilcontemporaneo.com/index.php/rdcc/article/view/1549. Acesso em: 16 jun. 2025.

Issue

Vol. 40 (2025)

Section

Comentários de Jurisprudência

License

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