IBM Emerges as Leader in GenAI Patents, While OpenAI Holds Back
A recent analysis of patent data by IFI Claims has revealed that IBM is leading the race in securing patents for generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). Over the past five years, IBM has filed 33% more applications than its closest contender, Google. The focus of the analysis was on the subset of GenAI that involves deep-learning models that generate outputs such as text, images, and videos. Interestingly, OpenAI, the owner of the popular ChatGPT, was ranked outside the top 25 applicants for GenAI patents, with fewer than five patents found. This unexpected outcome could be attributed to undisclosed filings or a reliance on trade secrets to protect OpenAI’s intellectual property, according to IFI Claims.
Out of the more than half a million AI-related patent applications filed in the US in the past five years, approximately 22% are related to GenAI. Alongside IBM, other leading applicants in the field include Google, Microsoft, Samsung, and Intel. IFI Claims’ analysis indicates that the most commonly used patent class for securing GenAI inventions is computing arrangements based on biological models. This class is particularly crucial for deep learning technologies, notably convolutional neural networks that enable machines to interpret images similar to humans. Other patent classes that play a significant role in the GenAI technology space are pattern recognition, image or video recognition or understanding, and information retrieval.
IBM, Google, and Samsung are covering all aspects of content generation in their patent strategies, focusing on images, speech, text, and video, while Nvidia concentrates its applications on images and videos. The patent landscape for GenAI reflects a broad range of technologies and applications as companies strive to protect their innovations in this fast-growing field.
In related news, the UK recently failed to establish a voluntary AI code as discussions between rights holders and AI developers reached an impasse. The working group, facilitated by the UK Intellectual Property Office, was aiming to address the interface between copyright and AI. Meanwhile, OpenAI stated in a submission to the UK House of Lords‘ inquiry into large language models that training AI models without utilizing copyrighted materials is impossible.
The competition for patents in GenAI highlights the ongoing efforts by companies to secure and protect their advancements in generative artificial intelligence. While IBM takes the lead with its extensive patent filings, the absence of OpenAI from the top 25 applicants raises questions about their patent strategy. With the growing significance of GenAI in various industries, the race for patents is expected to intensify as companies seek to safeguard their intellectual property and gain a competitive edge in this transformative technology domain.
