A networked registration scheme for enhancing trust

Society has widely adopted use of electronic data without sufficient attention to the problems of non-repudiation (NR). A universal, transparent scheme is needed to replace the traditional paper-based model that people are familiar with. A registration scheme is proposed that uses a network of registration servers run in a way that is robust to legal and technical challenge. Any user can register potential electronic evidence with one or more of these servers. This enables a user to later assert that they had the data at the time. Applications encompass intellectual property (IP) protection, file-download-based e-commerce and corporate shareholder communications. Wide availability should induce proper behaviour between parties whether they use the scheme or not.