Intellectual property is the cornerstone of industry. In an era led by AI and IoT, IP has only become more important. Research and industry leaders indicated that as AI patents fall under copyright law and trade-secret protection—rather than traditional patent law—IP strategies will require significant adjustment. They emphasized that Taiwanese companies must leverage research institutes’ technologies and patent resources to strengthen competitiveness in international markets.

The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) explained that its Intellectual Property Investment Platform promotes collaboration between ITRI and industry through patent transfer and licensing. The initiative has attracted enterprises ranging from semiconductor developers to general tech companies. ITRI noted that this platform allows companies to leverage ITRI’s portfolio to enhance their competitiveness, and highlighted that global litigation trends increasingly require companies to engage proactively in IP management.

Attorney Yang Qing-yan stated that patent licensing and maintenance are both “financial” issues. Patents are valuable corporate assets, and companies must routinely audit and adjust their portfolios to maintain organizational resilience.

He added that as deepfake technology evolves, AI-generated outputs will become a major source of legal and regulatory disputes. Whether AI-generated works should receive copyright or other legal protection remains unclear. He believes that future regulatory direction will either grant copyright protection to AI-generated content or allow trade-secret mechanisms for confidential algorithms. Alternatively, legislation may explicitly prevent AI-generated works from being treated as traditional copyrighted materials.

ITRI’s legal team emphasized that Taiwanese companies must strengthen their presence in global markets. Smart technology inherently involves complex IP considerations, yet many Taiwanese companies remain unfamiliar with how to commercialize such IP. Through litigation strategies, patent monetization, cross-licensing, commercial negotiations, supply-chain positioning, and even tax planning, companies can transform IP into sustainable revenue and strategic leverage.

They further explained that Taiwanese companies can enjoy greater convenience by partnering with ITRI. If a company faces infringement accusations or requires assistance in filing patents for technologies developed jointly with ITRI, the institute can prepare complete documentation and jointly pursue litigation. This partnership provides companies with strong support in global patent disputes while helping them build their own IP portfolios.

ITRI also noted recent collaboration with a major Taiwanese company to assist in patent disputes involving AI-integrated devices. ITRI was able to intervene quickly and support the company in facing infringement claims in the U.S. market. Currently, ITRI maintains joint-research agreements with more than 50 companies in Taiwan, covering areas such as semiconductor processes, IC packaging, and advanced display technologies.

(Source: China Times)