Why choose ETcH?
You've created something. You want to be able to prove it. Here's how ETcH compares to other proof-of-authorship solutions.
| ETcH | e-Soleau (INPI) | Bailiff | Registered mail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | EUR 2 | EUR 15 | EUR 150-500 + printing | ~EUR 5 + printing |
| Delay | Immediate | 24-48h | Appointment required | Variable |
| 100% digital | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| All formats accepted | ✓ | Limited (2 GB max) | Limited | ✓ |
| Legal weight | Strong | Strong | Very strong | Weak |
| Permanence | Public blockchain | 5 years (renewable, max 20 years) | Depends on the office | Contestable |
| Independent verification | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Verification cost | Free (permanent) | Via INPI only | Paid copy | — |
Vs. institutional solutions
The Soleau envelope and INPI
The traditional reflex of French creators. The paper Soleau envelope was replaced by e-Soleau, still active at INPI (EUR 15, 5 years renewable). It's a recognized solution, but limited in duration, dependent on INPI for verification, and without independent proof.
Learn more →The bailiff's report
The ultimate legal reference. But at EUR 150-500 per report — plus printing costs for any digital document — it's a tool for businesses or disputes already underway. Not for an author who wants to timestamp every version of their manuscript.
Learn more →Vs. DIY methods
Registered mail to yourself
Appealing idea, fragile legal value. A judge can challenge the integrity (envelope opened then resealed). No standard, no guarantee. With ETcH, your file stays digital end to end.
Timestamped email
Email metadata can be modified. Without a trusted third party, the proof does not hold up.
Vs. other blockchain services
Several services have offered blockchain anchoring for creators. Most have disappeared (Blockchainyourip, Bernstein, etc.) — taking with them the ability to verify the proofs they issued. ETcH anchors on Ethereum mainnet, the most robust and enduring blockchain. You receive everything needed to verify independently — even if ETcH disappears tomorrow. Verification is free and permanent.
What legal value?
A hash anchored on blockchain is not a 'title of ownership.' It is proof of prior existence: the demonstration that a file existed in this exact form at a given date. In case of a dispute, it is one piece of evidence among others — but an objective, verifiable, and unfalsifiable one.