Proving Source Code

The Problem With Proving Source Code

Code is easy to copy but hard to attribute. Open-source licenses are routinely violated, proprietary code gets leaked, and patent applications need proof of when the invention was developed.

Without proof, it becomes your word against theirs in any dispute about timing.

For software developers, startups, open-source maintainers, this is not a theoretical risk — it is a daily reality. A startup develops a novel algorithm. A larger competitor releases a suspiciously similar feature six months later. Timestamped source code proves the startup had the algorithm first.

How TimeProof Solves This

When you timestamp source code with TimeProof, TimeProof uses client-side file hashing (SHA-256). That 64-character value is the unique fingerprint for the exact version you selected, and if even one byte changes, the hash changes too. Your file never leaves your device.

TimeProof proves file existence by anchoring file hashes to the Polygon blockchain. The blockchain records the hash, timestamp, and transaction ID permanently, so anyone can verify the record independently on Polygonscan without relying on editable metadata or a vendor-controlled database.

For software developers, startups, open-source maintainers, that means creates permanent evidence that your file existed at a precise moment in time. timestamping source code (as a ZIP or individual files) creates a verifiable creation timeline that can support patent applications, trade secret claims, and licensing disputes.

Specific to Source Code

Timestamping source code (as a ZIP or individual files) creates a verifiable creation timeline that can support patent applications, trade secret claims, and licensing disputes. Common file formats include JS, TS, PY, JAVA, C, CPP, RS, GO, ZIP, and TimeProof handles all of them. Whether you are using VS Code, IntelliJ, Xcode, GitHub, the workflow is the same.

The Metadata Problem

Many people assume file metadata is sufficient proof. It is not.

Git commit timestamps are self-reported and can be rewritten with git rebase or git commit —amend —date. They are not independent proof.

A blockchain timestamp is independent of your file’s metadata. It is stored on the public Polygon blockchain, which no one controls. Even if every byte of metadata is stripped, your timestamp remains permanent and verifiable.

Step-by-Step: Proving Your Source Code

Choose the exact file you may later need to defend, then anchor proof before later copies, renames, or edits blur the timeline. Best used when a defensible version exists. Common files in this workflow include signed documents, source files, and milestone exports. Typical reviewers or counterparties include clients, counsel, and auditors.

1. Identify the exact file whose existence matters, not a later export or renamed copy.
2. Timestamp that version while it is still in the state you may later need to verify.
3. Store the certificate and Polygonscan link with the evidence bundle or project archive.
4. Timestamp later milestone versions separately instead of treating one early anchor as proof of every later edit.

Step 1: Select your file. Open TimeProof and drag your file onto the upload area. TimeProof accepts JS, TS, PY, JAVA, C, CPP, RS, GO, ZIP and every other file format. The SHA-256 hash is computed entirely in your browser — your file never leaves your computer.

Step 2: Choose your timestamp type. Use scheduled timestamps for 1 credit per file, or use verified instant timestamps for 2 credits per file when immediate anchoring matters. Both produce permanent, identical proof.

Step 3: Confirm and anchor. Click the timestamp button. TimeProof computes the SHA-256 hash locally, sends it to the Polygon blockchain smart contract, and returns your proof. You pay zero gas fees — TimeProof covers all blockchain costs.

Step 4: Download your proof. You receive a PDF certificate and a direct link to the blockchain transaction on Polygonscan. Verified instant timestamps add a verified identity badge, and Legal-Grade adds the Courtroom-Ready PDF, JSON metadata, JWS identity attestation, and Complete Evidence ZIP.

Step 5: Add Legal-Grade if needed. Legal-Grade is a verified per-batch upgrade. Starter and Pro charge 50 credits for up to 25 files, then +2 credits per file after 25. Business charges 25 credits for up to 25 files, then +1 credit per file after 25. Enterprise includes Legal-Grade. It adds the Courtroom-Ready PDF, JSON metadata, JWS identity attestation, and Complete Evidence ZIP.

What You Receive

Every TimeProof timestamp for source code includes:

1. PDF certificate - a readable proof document for the exact source code you timestamped, ready to keep with the project or share when timing becomes disputed.
2. Polygonscan link - direct public verification of the on-chain hash, timestamp, and transaction.

Verified instant timestamps also include: 3. Verified identity badge - the certificate shows the timestamp was created by a verified account, which is useful when delivery timing, authorship, or submitter identity may later matter.

With the Legal-Grade upgrade, you also receive the core evidence-package components documented by TimeProof: PDF, JSON, JWS identity attestation, and a ZIP bundle.

4. Courtroom-Ready PDF - a presentation-ready evidence certificate for disputes around prove it existed on a specific date, payment, originality, or formal review.
5. JSON Metadata - machine-readable timestamp data for technical teams, audit trails, or structured evidence review.
6. Identity Attestation (JWS) - a signed proof that ties the timestamp to a verified identity and can be verified through /.well-known/jwks.json.
7. Complete Evidence ZIP - one bundle containing the Courtroom-Ready PDF, JSON Metadata, Identity Attestation (JWS), and supporting proof materials so counsel, clients, or reviewers can inspect the complete record in one place.

Why Blockchain vs Other Methods

TimeProof uses Polygon because software developers, startups, open-source maintainers need proof that is fast to create, inexpensive to repeat, and easy for third parties to verify.

TimeProof proves file existence by anchoring file hashes to the Polygon blockchain. This gives reviewers a public record they can inspect independently on Polygonscan.

• Speed: about 2-second block times when verified instant proof matters.
• Cost: users do not buy crypto or manage gas fees because TimeProof covers blockchain costs.
• Public verification: counterparties, clients, auditors, or counsel can inspect the record independently on Polygonscan.
• Security: the record sits on a public, tamper-resistant network aligned with Ethereum.
• Permanence: the timestamp remains verifiable long after the source code have been shared, reposted, or challenged.

Real-World Scenario

A team needs to show that a file already existed before a later submission, dispute, accusation, or public release changed the stakes. The files at issue are often signed PDFs, source archives, and deliverable exports. Typical reviewers or counterparties include counsel, auditors, and counterparties.

A startup develops a novel algorithm. A larger competitor releases a suspiciously similar feature six months later. Timestamped source code proves the startup had the algorithm first.

Opposing parties rely on editable metadata, screenshots, or after-the-fact records instead of independent timing proof. The public anchor ties the exact-file hash to a defensible date even if the file is later renamed, copied, or stripped of metadata.

Related Comparisons

These comparisons help you measure this proof path against common alternatives that solve part of the problem but not the full timing-and-integrity chain.

• TimeProof vs Email Proof: Compare informal self-send habits with independent proof of when the exact file already existed.
• TimeProof vs Wayback Machine: See why web-archive capture is not the same as timestamping the underlying file before later publication or copying.
• TimeProof vs Poor Man’s Copyright: Compare folk ownership habits with anchored existence proof when timing and exact contents matter.

Related Guides

Use these related pages to go deeper on the legal, verification, or pricing context behind this workflow.

• Archive Legal Documents Immutably: Extend baseline existence proof into longer-term retention when the file may need to be preserved for later disputes or audits.
• Create Legal Evidence for Legal Documents: Escalate a clean existence record into a formal package when the matter is moving toward legal review.
• How Blockchain Timestamping Works: Review the hashing and public anchoring model behind file-existence verification.

Pricing

TimeProof uses one unified credit balance, so you can prove source code as part of normal work instead of waiting for a dispute.

• Scheduled timestamps: 1 credit per file - available to everyone, with proof available within 6 hours.
• Instant timestamps: 2 credits per file - available to verified subscribers, anchored in about 2 seconds.
• Legal-Grade: Starter and Pro: 50 credits up to 25 files, then +2/file. Business: 25 credits up to 25 files, then +1/file. Enterprise: included.

One-time packs start at $15 for 100 credits. Verified monthly plans start at $19/month and include identity verification for instant timestamps and Legal-Grade.

Timestamp a ZIP of your repository at each major milestone using 1 scheduled credit, or 2 credits for verified instant proof. Use scheduled timestamps for routine protection, verified instant timestamps when timing must be immediate, and Legal-Grade when the record may be challenged formally.

For source code, the cost is based on the number of files you anchor, not the file size. Scheduled timestamps use 1 credit per file, while verified instant timestamps use 2 credits per file.

Privacy

Your source code never leaves your computer. TimeProof uses client-side file hashing (SHA-256). Only the 64-character hash string is sent for anchoring. Because SHA-256 is one-way, it is not possible to reconstruct the original file from the hash. That lets software developers, startups, open-source maintainers protect client work, unpublished material, and high-value source files without exposing the underlying content.