The IP Federation welcomes today’s judgment of the UK Supreme Court in Emotional Perception AI Ltd v Comptroller-General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (UKSC/2024/0131), as a positive step in clarifying UK’s law on patent eligibility.

The decision addresses the patentability of an artificial neural network that recommends media files based on their physical properties, and provides important guidance on the application of UK patent law to computer-implemented and AI-related inventions. The judgment will be closely examined by innovative businesses, patent practitioners and policymakers, given the growing role of artificial intelligence across the economy.

The IP Federation was pleased to work closely with the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) on a joint intervention in the case, which was heard by the Supreme Court in July 2025. Both organisations share a strong commitment to clarity, consistency and legal certainty in the assessment of computer-implemented inventions.

The intervention was welcomed by the Court and was referred to both in the judgment and repeatedly during the hearing, demonstrating the value of informed and balanced input from industry and practitioners on complex and rapidly developing technologies.

Sarah Vaughan, President of the IP Federation, commented:

“We welcome the guidance provided by the Supreme Court today. It will provide greater certainty among UK businesses on patent eligibility, especially in the rapidly growing area of artificial neural networks and machine learning. We will analyse the judgment in detail and look forward to engaging with members, government and other stakeholders on its implications for the UK patent framework, and to supporting an IP system that encourages innovation, investment and growth in an increasingly AI-enabled economy.”