immut vs Notary Public: Modern IP Protection Compared
Notary publics have been certifying documents for centuries. immut uses blockchain to do the same thing — faster, cheaper, and without leaving your desk. Here's how they compare for IP protection.
Key Takeaway
For IP protection — proving a document existed at a specific time — immut provides stronger evidence than a notary: it's cryptographically immutable, independently verifiable, and available 24/7 from £10. Notary publics remain necessary for specific legal formalities, but rarely for IP timestamping.
Side-by-Side
immut vs Notary Public: Quick Comparison
| Factor | immut | Notary Public |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | From £10 | £50-£200+ per document |
| Speed | Under 60 seconds | Days to schedule |
| Availability | 24/7, online | Business hours, in-person |
| Document privacy | Content stays private | Notary sees your documents |
| Tamper resistance | Cryptographically immutable | Paper records can degrade |
| Verification | Anyone, anywhere, anytime | Contact original notary |
| Identity verification | Not included | Included |
| Legal formalities | Evidence only | Formal legal acts |
| Best for | IP timestamping at scale | Specific legal requirements |
Detailed Analysis
Understanding Each Option
immut Blockchain Timestamping
immut creates a cryptographic hash of your document and records it on the XRPL blockchain. This provides permanent, immutable proof that your document existed at a specific time — without revealing its contents to anyone.
Advantages
- 95% cheaper than notary fees
- Available 24/7 from anywhere
- Complete document confidentiality
- Independently verifiable by anyone
- Cannot be altered, lost, or degraded
- Scales to hundreds of documents easily
Limitations
- No identity verification included
- Cannot perform specific legal formalities
- Newer than traditional notarisation
Notary Public
A notary public is a qualified legal professional who witnesses signatures, certifies document copies, and attests to the authenticity of documents. They verify the identity of the parties and apply their official seal.
Advantages
- Includes identity verification
- Can perform specific legal formalities (apostilles, oaths)
- Long-established legal tradition
- Required for certain transactions
Limitations
- Expensive — £50-£200+ per document
- Requires scheduling and in-person attendance
- Notary sees your confidential documents
- Paper-based records can degrade or be lost
- Verification requires contacting the original notary
- Doesn't scale well for ongoing documentation
Decision Guide
When to Use Each
Choose immut When
- You need to timestamp IP documents for evidence
- You want to document innovations as they develop
- Document confidentiality is important
- You need affordable, scalable IP protection
- You want 24/7 availability without appointments
Choose a Notary When
- A specific legal process requires notarisation
- You need identity verification alongside certification
- Documents require apostilles for international use
- You're executing powers of attorney or sworn statements
- A jurisdiction specifically mandates notarisation
The Modern Approach to IP Evidence
immut does what notaries do for IP protection — proves documents existed at a point in time — but faster, cheaper, and with better security. Your documents never leave your hands. The evidence is permanent and verifiable by anyone. And at from £10, you can afford to timestamp everything worth protecting.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is immut as legally valid as a notary public?
For IP protection — proving document existence at a point in time — immut provides equivalent or stronger evidence. Blockchain timestamps are immutable and independently verifiable. Both are accepted in UK, EU, and US courts.
When should I still use a notary public?
For specific legal formalities: property transactions, powers of attorney, apostilled documents for international use, and sworn declarations. For IP timestamping, blockchain is more practical and affordable.
Does a notary provide stronger evidence than blockchain?
For IP purposes, blockchain evidence is arguably stronger because it's cryptographically immutable and independently verifiable. Notary records rely on a single person's attestation and paper records that can degrade.
Can I use immut for international IP protection?
Yes. A single immut timestamp provides globally verifiable evidence. With a notary, you'd need separate certifications — and potentially apostilles — for each jurisdiction.
Need Help Choosing the Right IP Protection?
Book a call with our team to discuss which approach is best for your specific situation.