FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What the proof is worth, what it doesn't replace, and what we see of your files. Eleven straight answers.
A more specific question about using the service? Check our help center →The proof
What exactly is proof of prior existence?
It's the demonstration that a file existed, in a specific state, at a specific date. Ipocamp computes its cryptographic fingerprint, has it timestamped by an independent time authority, then records it in a tamper-proof registry. The resulting certificate links the fingerprint, the date, and your identity.
Is it recognised by a court?
In civil matters (under French law), evidence is free-form: Article 1358 of the French Civil Code leaves it to the judge to assess the reliability of the method. A qualified timestamp and a tamper-proof registry meet this criterion precisely. No admissibility is ever guaranteed in advance — that's true of any form of evidence.
Is a single certificate enough to build solid proof?
A single certificate has evidentiary value, but relying on just one deposit — on the final result or an isolated step — carries a real risk: not being able to demonstrate the whole process if the dispute concerns an earlier step. That's why it's better to make a deposit at every meaningful stage of the creative process — successive versions, work stages, exchanges. Taken together, these deposits form a body of consistent evidence, far stronger before a judge than a single, isolated proof.
Does this replace a patent or trademark filing?
No, and it doesn't claim to. A patent or trademark grants an exploitation monopoly; a certificate documents a date and an integrity. The two complement each other: proof covers the period before a title exists, or creations that no title will ever cover.
Is the creative process really taken into account as evidence?
Yes, and increasingly so. In software, for example, the Paris and Douai Courts of Appeal require the creator to demonstrate the intellectual process followed and the choices made among the possibilities — a mere description of the final result is not enough. In other sectors (fashion, design), companies already produce spec sheets, sketches and trials to establish the prior existence of their work, but these documents often lack a certain date. That's what Ipocamp solves: giving an enforceable date to every stage of that process, not just the result.
How long is the proof kept?
For life, with no recurring fees. A dispute arising ten years after the deposit remains covered by the original certificate, and verification stays possible even if you no longer pay anything.
Confidentiality
Do you see the content of my files?
No, never. The SHA-256 fingerprint is computed in your browser, on your own machine. Only 32 bytes are transmitted — a string of characters from which nothing can be reconstructed. Your file never leaves your device.
How can a third party verify my certificate?
From the certificate and the original file, using standard, open tools. No account is required, and verification doesn't go through us: your proof doesn't depend on Ipocamp's survival.
What happens if I modify the file after the deposit?
The fingerprint changes entirely — a single byte is enough. That's precisely what makes the method useful: the certificate attests to an exact state, and any discrepancy is immediately detectable. For a new version, make a new deposit.
The service
Do I need to create an account to get started?
No. Deposits without an account are entirely free and unlimited in number: you get your proof certificate — the fingerprint and timestamp — without associated insurance or tracking. Creating an account gives you access to a personal space to track future deposits and try the platform, with three free deposits. Legal protection in the event of an intellectual property dispute (defense costs) and support from a dedicated lawyer for this type of dispute only become valid with an active subscription, starting at €16/month.
How many deposits are free?
Deposits without an account are free and unlimited, but they only give access to the raw proof — not to legal protection or legal support in the event of an intellectual property dispute. With an account, you get three free deposits to try the platform (personal tracking space); legal protection and legal support only become valid with an active subscription, starting at €16/month.
What formats and sizes are accepted?
All formats, up to 2 GB per deposit without an account — unlimited with a subscription. Since it's the fingerprint that's certified, not the content, the nature of the file doesn't matter: image, code, audio, video, spreadsheet, compressed archive for a set of files.
What does the intellectual property insurance cover?
Legal protection from Covéa, included in the Individual and Professional plans: your legal fees and lawyer's fees are covered in the event of a dispute over a creation already secured by Ipocamp, up to €5,000 per dispute on the Individual plan and €10,000 on the Professional plan. It covers literary and artistic property, and, on the Professional plan, trademarks and designs — excluding patents and trade secrets. Distribution is handled by Ipocamp, a broker registered with ORIAS. Tailored coverage, adapted to each company's situation, is added to this offering on an ongoing basis. The exact terms, caps and exclusions are set out in the insurance contract.
Can I integrate deposits into my own tools?
Yes, via REST API and webhooks — automate a certificate on every delivery, every commit, or every sprint's end. This is the most common deployment method in businesses.
What commitments do I need to meet when depositing a file without an account?
You must be the author, co-author or rights holder of the deposited file, or duly authorised to deposit it, and you indemnify Ipocamp against any third-party claim on this matter. Ipocamp does not control or endorse the deposited content. Details are set out in our Terms of Service, section "Deposit without an account".
What happens to my name and email when I deposit without an account?
They are used solely to send your certificate and are processed in accordance with our privacy policy — never resold or used for other purposes without your consent.
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