The Investigative Journalist’s Challenge
If you work as an investigative journalist, you know the risk: source materials and unpublished stories need tamper-proof timestamps for credibility. When it comes to licensing documentation, the stakes are real - without independent evidence, disputes become your word against theirs.
Your Workflow with TimeProof
Timestamp the exact asset package and licensing record before handoff so later disputes focus on what was authorized, not on memory or email fragments. Best used before licensed assets, terms, or approval copies are sent for external use. Common files in this workflow include licensed asset packages, scope sheets, and approval copies. Typical reviewers or counterparties include clients, licensees, and counsel.
1. Gather evidence.
2. Timestamp source materials.
3. Then publish.
The timestamp step fits into that workflow without changing the tools you already use.
The timestamping step itself takes under 10 seconds. No blockchain expertise required.
Why Licensing Documentation Matters
Create verifiable records of licensing agreements and authorized usage. A blockchain timestamp timestamps licensing records for verifiable authorization, creating evidence that is:
- Independent — stored on the public Polygon blockchain, not controlled by TimeProof or any party
- Permanent — cannot be altered, deleted, or disputed after recording
- Verifiable — anyone can check the timestamp on Polygonscan without an account
- Cryptographic — the SHA-256 hash changes if even one byte of the file changes
How Timestamping Works
When an investigative journalist timestamps a file for licensing documentation, 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. That fingerprint proves the exact version you created before it is shared or disputed. 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 screenshots, local metadata, or someone else’s database.
For journalists, reporters, and news organizations, that means create verifiable records of licensing agreements and authorized usage without relying on editable logs or file-system dates.
What You Receive
Every TimeProof timestamp for licensing documentation includes:
- PDF certificate - a readable proof document you can keep with the project file, send to a client, or hand to counsel if the timeline is later challenged.
- Polygonscan link - direct public verification so a reviewer can confirm the blockchain record independently.
Verified instant timestamps also include: 3. Verified identity badge - the certificate shows the timestamp was created by a verified account, which is useful when timing and submitter identity both matter to the dispute or review.
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.
- Courtroom-Ready PDF - a presentation-ready evidence certificate when licensing documentation needs more than a standard project record.
- JSON Metadata - machine-readable timestamp data for technical teams, audit trails, or structured evidence review.
- Identity Attestation (JWS) - a signed proof that ties the timestamp to a verified identity and can be verified through /.well-known/jwks.json.
- Complete Evidence ZIP - one bundle containing the Courtroom-Ready PDF, JSON Metadata, Identity Attestation (JWS), and supporting proof materials such as the Merkle proof, verification guide, and checksums, so the record is ready for formal review.
Real Scenario
Imagine you are an investigative journalist. A team licenses work to a client or partner, then later needs proof of which exact asset package and scope record existed before the relationship drifted. The files at issue are often licensed asset packages, approval exports, and scope sheets. Typical counterparties include clients, licensees, and counsel.
A client or partner uses files outside the agreed scope, disputes which assets were approved, or claims the licensed package arrived later than it did. The timestamp ties the exact asset set and scope documents to a public date before later use, scope expansion, or approval confusion obscures the record.
With TimeProof, the dispute is resolved by independent proof instead of by screenshots, local metadata, or conflicting memories.
Related Comparisons
These comparisons help you evaluate adjacent proof methods before you settle on the workflow for this use case.
- TimeProof vs DocuSign: Compare independent file-timing proof with signature workflows when the dispute turns on which files and scope record existed.
- TimeProof vs NDA: See when confidentiality agreements help and when you still need proof of the exact licensed package.
- TimeProof vs Email Proof: Compare blockchain-timestamped file evidence with email-centric proof when approval and delivery timing are contested.
Related Guides
Use these supporting pages to tighten the legal, technical, or pricing context around this workflow.
- Prove Ownership of Contracts & Agreements: Use artifact-level ownership proof when the license record and the underlying agreement may both be questioned.
- Document Version History for Contracts & Agreements: Build a milestone trail for revised terms, approved versions, and changed scope documents.
- How Blockchain Timestamping Works: Review the technical model behind the timestamps used across licensing and approval workflows.
Cost for Investigative Journalist
TimeProof uses one unified credit balance, so journalists, reporters, and news organizations can create routine proof early and only step up to verified features when the situation calls for it.
- 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.
That lets you use scheduled timestamps for everyday licensing documentation records and reserve verified instant or Legal-Grade proof for the files most likely to be challenged.
Most journalists, reporters, and news organizations need routine, repeatable protection rather than an enterprise rollout. TimeProof is priced for routine use through packs and verified monthly plans, so you can build evidence as you work instead of only after a dispute starts.
Privacy
Your files related to this workflow 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 journalists, reporters, and news organizations protect work related to licensing documentation without exposing the original file, unpublished draft, or client material.