Why wouldn't operators of algorithms that produce novel inventions attempt to patent their output or even automate the process so that the patenting occurs with little to no human intervention?
I'd argue we aren't very far from this point. Computers have already been used to make novel inventions. I think we could see an explosion in computer generated inventions if physical reasoning, reasoning about how objects move with respect to each other, continues to improve. Previously used approaches, such as genetic algorithms, have difficulty solving problems like inventing a new type of lock or clock escapement which require multiple moving parts.