The Author & Writer’s Challenge
If you work as an author and writer, you know the risk: manuscripts shared with agents, editors, or beta readers can be plagiarized. When it comes to ip protection before patent, the stakes are real - without independent evidence, disputes become your word against theirs.
Your Workflow with TimeProof
Timestamp the operative invention record before outside review or filing so later priority questions rest on dated prototype and disclosure files. Best used before patent counsel review, provisional filing, or pre-filing disclosure to partners or manufacturers. Common files in this workflow include invention disclosures, prototype exports, and lab notes. Typical reviewers or counterparties include patent counsel, co-founders, and manufacturers.
1. Write.
2. Save final draft.
3. Timestamp.
4. Then submit or share.
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 IP Protection Before Patent Matters
Establish prior art evidence and invention timeline before filing a patent. A blockchain timestamp builds a timestamped invention timeline for patent support, 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 author and writer timestamps a file for ip protection before patent, 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 authors, screenwriters, journalists, and copywriters, that means establish prior art evidence and invention timeline before filing a patent without relying on editable logs or file-system dates.
What You Receive
Every TimeProof timestamp for ip protection before patent 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 ip protection before patent 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 author and writer. An inventor or team needs stronger proof of invention chronology when similar filings, disclosures, or ownership claims emerge. The files at issue are often invention disclosures, prototype exports, and lab notes. Typical counterparties include patent counsel, co-founders, and manufacturers.
A competing filing appears, a collaborator disputes who had the idea first, or counsel needs stronger support for the invention timeline. The timestamp ties the operative prototype or disclosure files to a public date before later filings, disclosures, or authorship disputes blur the chronology.
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 Poor Man’s Copyright: Compare folk ownership habits with file-specific invention chronology before formal filing.
- TimeProof vs Email Proof: See why email trails alone are weak evidence when the dispute is about exact prototype or draft timing.
- TimeProof vs Wayback Machine: Compare public web capture with direct proof on the underlying invention files themselves.
Related Guides
Use these supporting pages to tighten the legal, technical, or pricing context around this workflow.
- Prove a File Existed for Source Code: Use direct existence proof when the main issue is showing a prototype or source artifact already existed before later claims.
- Document Version History for Legal Documents: Build milestone evidence across invention revisions, drafts, and pre-filing record changes.
- How Blockchain Timestamping Works: Review the hashing and anchoring model behind later invention-timeline verification.
Cost for Author & Writer
TimeProof uses one unified credit balance, so authors, screenwriters, journalists, and copywriters 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 ip protection before patent records and reserve verified instant or Legal-Grade proof for the files most likely to be challenged.
Most authors, screenwriters, journalists, and copywriters 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 authors, screenwriters, journalists, and copywriters protect work related to ip protection before patent without exposing the original file, unpublished draft, or client material.