Artificial intelligence has become the defining issue for contemporary IP. Its presence has posed challenges to virtually every sector for human creativity is involved, which of course includes copyrights, trademarks, patents and other regimes of IP. However, despite its problems, AI have also contributed to the protection of IP. Ultimately, like many other tools, AI is a double-edged sword that can both hurt or aid IP protection.
Below we have compiled some real life examples of how AI is used to support IP protection:
AI-Powered Monitoring and Detection
One of the foremost applications of AI in IP protection is real-time monitoring of digital content to detect unauthorized use or infringement. Traditional methods rely heavily on manual oversight or keyword-based searches, which are inefficient and often fail to catch cleverly disguised infringements.
SoundPatrol, co-founded by Hollywood veteran Michael Ovitz, employs neural fingerprinting technology to detect pirated or AI-manipulated music. Unlike apps like Shazam that only recognize exact matches, SoundPatrol can identify distorted versions and AI-generated tracks by assigning unique “fingerprints” to audio files. Major music labels like Universal Music Group and Sony Music have adopted this system to monitor and combat piracy in real time.
AI-Enabled Watermarking and Authentication
AI-enhanced digital watermarking embeds imperceptible watermarks into digital assets, allowing rights holders to prove ownership even after the content has been modified or repurposed.
in the field of digital art, platforms such as Verisart combine blockchain and AI watermarking to certify authenticity and provenance of artworks, helping artists protect their creations from forgery and unauthorized distribution.
Even more impressive is that digital watermarking can now be applied to into 3D molecular structures. Researchers have developed AI-driven watermarking methods that embed signatures into 3D molecular structures without altering their chemical properties. This technology protects proprietary molecular data used in drug discovery, ensuring that unauthorized use or copying can be traced back to the original creator.
Automation of IP Portfolio Management
AI is capable of simplifying or managing large and complex IP portfolios by automating prior art searches, patent landscaping, and trademark monitoring. Tools like PatentSight use AI to analyze patent databases, assess the value and relevance of patents, and help companies identify potential infringement risks. While Cipher uses natural language processing to scan patent documents and scientific literature to streamline the patent application and enforcement process.
Combatting AI-Generated IP Challenges
Manipulated or fake content have become a problem that extends well beyond IP. Applications like Deeptrace uses AI to detect deepfakes and manipulated videos, which helps combat misinformation and unauthorized use of copyrighted video content. Similarly, Microsoft’s Video Authenticator tool analyzes photos and videos to provide a confidence score that content is AI-generated or manipulated, aiding copyright enforcement and authenticity verification.
Conclusion
AI is currently posing many valid concerns for IP owners. It has the potential to fundamentally change our view of human creativity and there is currently many questions surrounding it, however, AI also has several applicable benefits. For IP professionals, it is in our best interest to wisely study and follow the latest technological developments, and deduct which are threats, which are tools, and most importantly, which are both.
Contact us for more IP related information at ambadar@ambadar.co.id.
