Comparison
Proxae vs the alternatives
There are several ways to prove prior existence of a creation or idea. Here's how Proxae compares to traditional solutions.
| Criteria | Proxae | Soleau Envelope | INPI Filing | Notary / Bailiff | DIY Blockchain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free / €4.90/month (Pro) | €15 per submission | From €26 | €150 to €500 | Free (technical skills required) |
| Speed | Instant (confirmed in ~3h) | 2 to 4 weeks | Several days to weeks | By appointment | Varies by method |
| Legal strength | Timestamped proof of existence + RFC 3161 (Pro) | Recognized by French courts | Strong, official registration | Very strong, authentic deed | Variable, no official framework |
| Privacy | Content never transmitted (hash only) | Document sent to INPI | Document transmitted | Document shared with notary | Depends on implementation |
| Durability | Permanent (Bitcoin blockchain) | 5 years (renewable once) | Varies by filing type | 75 years (notarial archives) | Permanent if properly implemented |
| Independence | Verifiable without Proxae (OpenTimestamps) | Depends on INPI | Depends on INPI | Depends on the notary office | Full if done correctly |
| Recommended use | Ideas, creations, code, documents, predictions | Industrial designs, drawings | Patents, trademarks, designs | Contracts, reports, important deeds | Developers, technical use cases |
In summary: Proxae combines the speed and accessibility of an online service with the permanence and independence of the Bitcoin blockchain. Unlike traditional filings, your content is never shared — only the cryptographic hash is timestamped.
Frequently asked questions
Does Proxae have legal value?
Proxae timestamping constitutes proof of existence at a given date. With the Pro plan, the RFC 3161 eIDAS-compliant certificate strengthens its admissibility. It is not an intellectual property title, but a solid piece of evidence in case of dispute.
Why not just send yourself an email?
An email can be backdated or forged. Blockchain timestamping is immutable: once anchored in a Bitcoin block, it cannot be modified or deleted.
Isn't the Soleau envelope sufficient?
The Soleau envelope is limited to 5 years (renewable once), costs €15 per submission, requires postal mail and means transmitting your document to INPI. Proxae is instant, permanent and your content is never shared.
How to prove prior art without filing a patent?
A patent protects an invention, not an idea. To prove you had an idea, concept or document at a given date, blockchain timestamping via Proxae is the fastest and most accessible solution.
Are Proxae proofs verifiable without Proxae?
Yes. Each proof is anchored in the Bitcoin blockchain via OpenTimestamps. You can verify an OTS receipt on opentimestamps.org or with any OpenTimestamps client, independently of Proxae.