First in Time, First in Right. WIPO Takes the Lead on Digital Date Stamping of IP

Abstract

WIPO has provided a new digital platform, called WIPO PROOF to record the critical date of creation for individuals and companies alike. The imprimatur and stamp of authority by the World Intellectual Property Organization, as a UN agency, gives the certificate an official seal of authority. Depending upon the jurisdiction, a date stamped certificate may serve as persuasive evidence of the date of creation. As experience has shown, these significant advantages in evidentiary rules, aid creators immensely in legal battles. The function of the digital date stamp is, of course, specific and limited to confirm the creation of a document at a specific timeline. Such a timestamp does not, however, go beyond this formalistic function into the substantive area of intellectual property rights and registration. It should be noted that WIPO PROOF does not confer or show proof of intellectual property rights per se. Nonetheless, as experience has shown, the significant advantage of showing official confirmation of the simple proof of the date of creation may aid creators in legal battles.