Robots and the law—civil liability

Table of contents

• What is a robot? Is there a recognised definition as such?
• What is the existing legal framework regarding civil liability for harm caused by robots?
• Who is responsible and what factors will be taken into account when determining where liability for harm rests? Is there likely to be liability for manufacturers of composite parts or software?
• Have there been any cases dealing with this issue to date? If so, how was the issue approached, and what was decided?
• Is the existing law in this area equipped to deal with the legal challenges that could be posed by the increased use of robots? Are there any gaps in, or problems with, the existing framework and if so, are measures being taken to address these?
• What developments do you envisage taking place over the next few years?
• Is there any insurance currently available to cover robotics?
• Any other points of interest?

Article summary

IP & IT analysis: Burkhard Schafer, professor of computational legal theory at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Law School, examines the issues surrounding robots and civil liability.