The Small Business Owner’s Challenge
If you work as a small business owner, you know the risk: trade secrets, business plans, and contracts need tamper-proof documentation. When it comes to pre-publication proof, the stakes are real - without independent evidence, disputes become your word against theirs.
Your Workflow with TimeProof
Timestamp the exact version immediately before it leaves your control for reviewers, editors, publishers, or platforms. Best used before external disclosure. Common files in this workflow include drafts, exports, and submission packages. Typical reviewers or counterparties include editors, reviewers, and publishers.
1. Create document.
2. Timestamp key business records.
3. Protect IP.
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 Pre-Publication Proof Matters
Prove you had content before it was published anywhere else. A blockchain timestamp timestamps work before publication to prove priority, 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 a small business owner timestamps a file for pre-publication proof, 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 entrepreneurs, SMB owners, and startup founders, that means prove you had content before it was published anywhere else without relying on editable logs or file-system dates.
What You Receive
Every TimeProof timestamp for pre-publication proof 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 pre-publication proof 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 a small business owner. A creator or researcher shares a draft, pitch, or submission package, and later needs to show that the exact file existed before a later publication or competing claim. The files at issue are often draft manuscripts, pitch decks, and submission packages. Typical counterparties include editors, publishers, and reviewers.
The timeline is challenged after review, publication, circulation, or informal disclosure. The exact-file hash plus public chain timestamp proves the draft existed before the later publication, reuse, or attribution fight.
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 NDA: Compare contractual confidentiality with direct proof on the exact unpublished file.
- TimeProof vs Email Proof: See why informal self-send habits do not replace independent pre-release timing evidence.
- TimeProof vs Wayback Machine: Compare public web capture with proof anchored before a work is disclosed or published.
Related Guides
Use these supporting pages to tighten the legal, technical, or pricing context around this workflow.
- Protect Legal Documents Before Sharing: Use a stronger pre-disclosure workflow when the file will be shared with outsiders before publication.
- Prove a File Existed for Legal Documents: Pair early release proof with a cleaner baseline existence record on the underlying file itself.
- How Blockchain Timestamping Works: Review the technical model behind pre-publication timing proof and later verification.
Cost for Small Business Owner
TimeProof uses one unified credit balance, so entrepreneurs, SMB owners, and startup founders 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 pre-publication proof records and reserve verified instant or Legal-Grade proof for the files most likely to be challenged.
Most entrepreneurs, SMB owners, and startup founders 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 entrepreneurs, SMB owners, and startup founders protect work related to pre-publication proof without exposing the original file, unpublished draft, or client material.