Patenting Digital Innovations (Autumn Semester 2024)
ETH Zurich's first lecture on patenting of AI & software-based innovations with a focus on paper to patent & strategies for science-based start-ups.
Abstract
In this seminar dedicated to digital innovations, we will bust the most stubborn myths around AI software patents such as “Software/AI isn’t patentable”, “AI patents are useless because you can’t figure out if they are infringed”, and many others. We will look at how AI and software start-ups can use patents to create a strong IP position in a scalable way.
Learning Objectives
After attending this course, students will be able to:
- Understand the basics of patenting in the digital space relevant for a global market
- Evaluate patenting opportunities with a more differentiated view on the topic
- Effectively use patents as a cost-effective part of a technology startup’s business plan
- Conduct patent searches, freedom-to-operate analysis and infringement analyses
- Write their first software/AI-related invention disclosure suitable for patenting
Content
The course is focused on patenting digital innovations. It is designed for students with entrepreneurial interests that like to get a hands-on perspective on the topic of intellectual property strategies and patents.
The seminar includes presentations and practical group exercises to apply the acquired knowledge in practice. Entrepreneurs and leading IP experts are joining the seminar as guest speakers for discussion of real-life examples.
Topics that will be covered include:
- Best practices that any AI/software startups should know about IP and patents
- How investors evaluate a strong IP situation of a start-up
- How to efficiently monitor competitor patent activity and obtain “FTO”
- How to create an effective patent filing strategy that grows with the business
- How to efficiently create AI patents while not getting distracted from the founder’s core business
The course also contains a group work of a “FTO battle” where two teams compete in a freedom-to-operate analysis and individual work to write their first invention disclosure related to an AI or software topic.
Main instructors
Alexander Ilic (Executive Director, ETH AI Center)
Swiss-German deep tech entrepreneur, researcher, and investor. Alex was a professor at University of St.Gallen (HSG), an e-Lab fellow at MIT, has two exits under his belt as entrepreneur (Dacuda, acquired by Magic Leap 2017) and investor (VAY acquired by Nautilus 2021), was named twice "Entrepreneur of the Year" (2011 by HSG, 2012 by EY) and won the Swiss Economic Award. He is passionate about helping talents to find their path to entrepreneurship as chairman of Talent Kick and board member of the student-run S2S Ventures.
Bastian Best (Patent Attorney, BESTPATENT)
Bastian is an European and German Patent Attorney with a degree in Computer Science from TU Munich and over 13 years experience in IP. He is the founder of BESTPATENT, a hyper-niche patent law firm specialized exclusively in prosecution and litigation of patents for digital inventions. He has a special interest in the patentability issues involved in artificial intelligence / machine learning, blockchain / cryptography and the Internet of Things.
Melanie Gabriel (Co-Founder Yokoy, Entrepreneur in Residence ETH AI Center)
Melanie Gabriel, Entrepreneur in Residence and Lecturer at the ETH AI Center, is a founder, board member, and angel investor. She co-founded Yokoy in 2019, a Swiss FinTech & AI company that grew to over 200 employees and raised over USD 107m from top venture capital firms like Sequoia and Balderton. She recently co-founded followthegradient.io to make startup knowledge more accessible. Melanie is a board member of Moodtalk and serves on various advisory boards. She holds a master’s degree in business management from the University of St. Gallen, was inducted into Switzerland’s 100 Digital Shapers Hall of Fame, and received the HSG Founder of the Year Award 2023.
Whitepaper
A whitepaper by Merantix & ETH AI Center for more AI patents in Europe: Download How to patent your AI solution (PDF, 2.9 MB)
Join as non ETH Student
Doctoral students of any Swiss university or students of EPFL, UZH, Uni Bern, Uni Basel can register (free of charge) as special student at ETH and therefore directly join the lecture. More info: https://ethz.ch/en/studies/non-degree-courses/special-students/
For any other request, please reach out to the lecture TA.