The Japan Patent Office (JPO) will review the Design Act and Patent Act in response to the rapid expansion of generative AI usage.  It aims to establish a system that protects legitimate inventors, in cases where businesses or individuals, without plans to develop products, publicly release large numbers of design concepts using generative AI, potentially hindering new product development.

Currently, there are no rules governing mass-produced designs or inventions generated by AI. Concerns include the unauthorized use of existing products for AI training to create and disclose designs or formulas, such as car designs or pharmaceutical compounds, which could undermine the novelty required for patents and design rights.

The JPO has begun discussions on the issue above with an aim to revise the Patent Act and Design Act in 2026.

URL: https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUA050P20V01C24A1000000/ (Japanese only)