On 27th May of 2020, the World Intellectual Property Organisation launched a new business service with the name WIPO Proof with the idea of providing a digital record-keeping and notary service that created a date-and-time stamped fingerprint of a digital file, which acts as a comprehensive digital proof of the existence of one’s intellectual property at a specific point in time and also acts as evidence that the digital file has not been altered since that point in time. It is pertinent to note that WIPO Proof is not a replacement of an IP’s registration number but can act as a beneficial tool during disputes related to Intellectual Property, including those related to trademarks.
Under the system, the file required to keep the IP’s records need not be sent to external WIPO servers, but the data is saved on the user’s browser. A unique token is generated that assigns a digital stamp containing the generation’s date. The unique token is saved on the user’s browser, with only the generate digital stamp being stored by WIPO for a period of five years. This can be updated and extended before the time period expires.
WIPO Proof gives rapidly produced tamper-proof evidence that can be used to prove that the digital file related to your Intellectual Property existed at a specific point in time. This service can be used for creative work, product design, invention, or even research data. The major advantage of this service is that it can help prove an idea, lyric, picture, or invention before someone else’s creation. This entire process can help prevent misuse and misappropriation as well.
Some uses of WIPO Proof concerning specific types of Intellectual Property can be as follows:
● Copyright: Though you automatically have copyright over all of your creative works and there is no need to register them, in the instance that a dispute arises, it becomes essential to have solid evidence to prove its existence at a specific time, which WIPO Proof can help with.
● Trade Secrets and Know-How: Different businesses may have different requirements, and thus the trade secrets may differ depending on the business, but to be able to gain any economic value from them, preserving their confidentiality becomes essential. If there is any breach, and the owner of the trade secret wants to seek damages or injunction, proving that you owned that trade secret or know-how before others can be the make-or-break element of your case. This is something that WIPO Proof can help with again.
● Research and Data: Research and Data can be the driving factors for innovation and advances across many industries, and if not appropriately protected, it can lead to misappropriation and other disputes. Research and Data can also lead to the creation of patentable technology. Here as well, WIPO Proof can help create the record of the possession of the relevant research and data, thereby creating a way to claim some ownership or right over that information.
WIPO Proof works by way of a digital token. Anyone can log on to WIPO Proof’s online website and request a token for a specific digital file. WIPO does not read the contents of the file in any way or save a local copy of it but only interacts with the requestor’s browser and creates a unique digital fingerprint. Anyone, including third parties, can validate WIPO Proof tokens on the website. The platform uses Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Technology to generate tokens. PKI is one of the most reliable and well-known cryptography technologies and is internationally established.
The token creation process involves the user logging on to the website using any browser and providing a digital file that will be processed. The local browser being used itself will generate a unique digital fingerprint, and WIPO Proof’s backend system will assign a timestamp to the same. A private key is added to the token to sign it, while a public key is used to ensure the token’s authenticity. This token and then be downloaded and kept with the user. The token is considered valid for a period of 5 years thereafter.
Some of WIPO Proof’s benefits are that it can act as verifiable evidence, and it is confidential since the file itself never has to be uploaded or stored, nor can its contents be read or reproduced.
As of September of 2020, citizens from 117 member states have signed on and registered with WIPO proof, and the number of customers from India comes in the top 10 most customers coming from the same country.
WIPO Proof plans include a free service that provides a WIPO Proof Token online instantly, and starting from 20 Swiss Francs, there are some paid plans too. For 20 Swiss Francs, you can get a WIPO Proof token with 5 years of storage of the same on WIPO’s databases. For 20 Swiss Francs, you can also get a premium PDF certificate of your token with indefinite validity. You can also purchase a prepaid bundle of the tokens for 190 Swiss Francs for a total of 10 tokens, which will again be stored with WIPO for a period of 5 years.
