Sweeping Claims, Sliding Stones: Mastering AI Patent Prosecution with a Curling Twist
Briefly

Sweeping Claims, Sliding Stones: Mastering AI Patent Prosecution with a Curling Twist
"As the 2026 Winter Olympics captivate audiences, one sport in particular―curling―stands out as the perfect metaphor for the challenge of prosecuting AI inventions before the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Both arenas demand foresight, adaptability, and strategic thinking, whether it's guiding a stone across the ice or shepherding an AI patent application through evolving legal terrain. Victory, in either case, belongs to those who embrace teamwork and anticipate the unexpected."
"Curling is often misjudged as slow or simple, but insiders know that it's a chess match on ice, where teams slide polished granite stones across pebbled sheets, aiming for the house-the scoring target-while simultaneously disrupting the opposition's setup. Wins are earned through foresight, precision, and the ability to pivot strategy as conditions change. Just as innovation in curling equipment and strategy can shift the outcome on the ice, success in AI patent prosecution hinges on ingenuity and adaptability."
Curling's tactical precision and teamwork mirror the demands of prosecuting AI inventions before the USPTO. Both require foresight, adaptability, and strategic thinking to navigate changing conditions and opponents—on ice or in legal precedent. Patent practitioners must anticipate examiner feedback, refine claims, and pivot strategies as legal guidance and case law evolve. Successful AI patent prosecution depends on well-defined technical solutions in specifications and claims to meet subject-matter eligibility standards. Ingenuity in claim drafting, coordinated teamwork across inventors and counsel, and readiness to respond to shifting USPTO guidance increase the likelihood of securing robust AI patents.
Read at Global IP & Technology Law Blog
Unable to calculate read time
[
|
]