codeSEAL & Trade Secret - Proof of Existence
Proof of Existence (PoE) without publication and without any data leaving your house
codeSEAL – PoE
Your source code is one of your most valuable assets and one of the hardest to protect without exposing it. Moreover, software is patentable in many jurisdictions, which means a competitor could file a patent on functionality you developed first — unless you can prove it. codeSEAL integrates directly into your repository workflow and creates a tamper-proof, eIDAS-compliant proof of existence for your repository at any point in time. No code leaves your environment. Ever.
Needs Assessment & Integration Planning
Every codebase and every team works differently. We start by understanding which repositories matter, which events should trigger a seal, and how codeSEAL fits into your existing development workflow. We provide a fitting workflow to your environment.
Implementation & Testing
The Proofbox workflow is embedded directly into your repository. When triggered, it compresses the repository into a local archive, derives a cryptographic hash from that archive, and transmits only the hash via API for sealing. Proofbox returns a signed seal object, which is automatically embedded back into the archive. During the testing phase, we validate the complete flow end-to-end and confirm that every seal is independently verifiable.
Go Live
From go-live, your developers are in full control. A seal is created whenever they choose — simply by triggering the defined event within the familiar Git workflow. Every sealed archive comes with a verification link: anyone with access can confirm the seal's validity, date, and integrity directly on Proofbox.
Trade Secret – PoE
Not every valuable asset should be patented or can be. Trade secrets cover a wide range of confidential information: pricing models, customer data, processes, formulas, research results, and more. Under the EU Trade Secrets Directive, the US Defend Trade Secrets Act, and equivalent laws, protection depends on proving that reasonable steps were taken to maintain confidentiality. Our sealing process provides exactly that: a timestamped, eIDAS-compliant proof of existence, without ever disclosing the content.
Prove Internal Prior Use
If a competitor files a patent on technology or a process your company has been using internally, or that was already in development before their filing, prior use rights can be your decisive defense. But only if there is evidence of that use. Proofbox gives you that toolkit: an automated process to eSeal documents detailing your internal use, without disclosing any underlying details. When challenged, you hold independently verifiable evidence that withstands legal scrutiny.
Business Plans, Strategies & Financial Data
Pitch decks, pricing models, M&A documents, and market analyses carry significant competitive value and are often shared under NDA. A Proofbox seal before sharing creates an irrefutable, timestamped record of what existed and when. Should disputes arise over authorship or misappropriation, your sealed document is independently verifiable evidence.
Formulas, Processes & Technical Know-How
Proprietary processes, chemical formulas, and engineering specifications are among the most valuable trade secrets and not always suited for patent protection. A Proofbox seal establishes a timestamped record of existence, directly fulfilling the "reasonable steps" requirement under major trade secret laws and strengthening your position in any enforcement proceeding.
Research Data & Experimental Results
Positive and negative research results alike have legal and commercial value. Whether defending against patent trolls, building an assets portfolio, or entering negotiations: a documented, timestamped research history strengthens your position considerably. Proofbox provides that record without requiring you to publish a single finding.