The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has launched PROOF, a new online business service that provides tamper-proof evidence of the existence at a point in time of any digital file, including data sets, in any format.
"In a highly dynamic global economy where value is increasingly based on human activity enabled by digital technologies and big data, it is critical to be able to prove that you were in possession of your intellectual asset's digital files," commented WIPO Director General Francis Gurry. "WIPO PROOF helps innovators and creators better protect their digital outputs and represents a significant step in expanding WIPO's suite of services that meet the demands of the digital economy."
By creating a date- and time-stamped fingerprint of a digital file, WIPO PROOF provides a sort of digital notary service, offering a trusted, cost-effective and efficient service worldwide. WIPO PROOF tokens can be purchased one at a time for a modest fee, or in bundles of multiple tokens at reduced rates valid during a two year period.
WIPO PROOF tokens can be used to establish prior existence, helping prevent misuse and misappropriation, and can be useful in safeguarding intellectual assets at every stage of development from concept to commercialization, whether or not they eventually become formal IP rights.
Image: Courtesy of WIPO