Ben Hackett at IPIC 2026 Centennial Conference

Join Goodmans Partner Ben Hackett at IPIC’s Annual Conference where he will be moderating the debate, “’The Robot of Ordinary Skill in the Art’: Be It Resolved that AI Will Destroy the Novelty/Originality Required for Patent/Copyright Protection in Canada” taking place Friday, September 18, 2026 from 2:00 - 3:00PM ET in Ottawa, Ontario.

As innovators and creators increasingly turn to generative AI tools, is there a risk that these tools will strip the fruits of their labours of the novelty and inventiveness required for patent protection and originality and authorship required for copyright protection in Canada? Do the Patent Act and the Copyright Act have the necessary flexibility to address inventions and original works that are created with the assistance of AI and should they? Can generative AI provide us with the answers to these questions?

The IPIC is the professional association of patent agents, trademark agents and lawyers practicing in all areas of intellectual property law. Its membership comprises over 1900 individuals, consisting of practitioners in law firms and agencies of all sizes, sole practitioners, in-house corporate intellectual property professionals, government personnel, and academics. IPIC members’ clients include virtually all Canadian businesses, universities and other institutions that have an interest in intellectual property in Canada or elsewhere, as well as foreign companies that hold intellectual property rights in Canada.

For more information and to register, click here.