Self-Notarisation vs Blockchain: Does the 'Poor Man's Patent' Actually Work?
Mailing yourself a sealed envelope. Emailing documents to yourself. Signing and dating papers. These DIY methods are popular — but do they actually protect your IP? Here's how they compare to blockchain timestamps.
Key Takeaway
Self-notarisation methods like the 'poor man's patent' are unreliable and often rejected by courts. Blockchain timestamps cost almost the same (from £10) but provide cryptographically immutable, independently verifiable evidence that actually holds up. There's no reason to use DIY methods when proper protection is this affordable.
Side-by-Side
Self-Notarisation vs Blockchain Timestamp: Quick Comparison
| Factor | Self-Notarisation | Blockchain Timestamp |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Near zero (stamp + envelope) | From £10 |
| Reliability | Easily challenged in court | Cryptographically immutable |
| Tamper resistance | Envelopes can be opened/resealed | Cannot be altered or backdated |
| Independent verification | No — relies on physical evidence | Anyone can verify on-chain |
| Court acceptance | Frequently rejected | Accepted under evidence rules |
| Scalability | One document per envelope | Unlimited documents |
| Digital documents | Doesn't work well for digital files | Designed for digital files |
| Best for | Nothing — not recommended | Any IP documentation |
Detailed Analysis
Understanding Each Option
Self-Notarisation (Poor Man's Patent)
Self-notarisation refers to DIY methods of proving a document existed at a date: mailing a sealed envelope to yourself, emailing documents to yourself, signing and dating papers with witnesses, or uploading to cloud storage for timestamps.
Advantages
- Essentially free
- Requires no technical knowledge
- Better than no documentation at all
Limitations
- Courts frequently reject sealed envelopes — they can be opened and resealed
- Email timestamps come from systems you control and can be manipulated
- No independent verification possible
- Physical documents degrade over time
- Doesn't scale for ongoing IP documentation
- Provides a false sense of security
Blockchain Timestamp
Blockchain timestamping creates a cryptographic hash of your document and records it on a decentralised, immutable public ledger. The document stays private; only the fingerprint is published. This creates evidence that cannot be tampered with or backdated.
Advantages
- Cryptographically immutable — cannot be altered
- Independently verifiable by anyone, anywhere
- Accepted as evidence in UK, EU, and US courts
- Document content stays completely private
- Scales to any number of documents
- Available 24/7 from anywhere
Limitations
- Small cost (from £10)
- Requires digital documents
- Some courts less familiar with blockchain evidence
Decision Guide
When to Use Each
Don't Use Self-Notarisation
- Sealed envelopes are easily challenged in court
- Email timestamps are from systems you control
- Cloud storage providers can change metadata
- Courts have repeatedly rejected these methods
- The false sense of security is worse than no protection
Use Blockchain Timestamps
- When you need reliable, court-admissible evidence
- For ongoing IP documentation as innovations develop
- When you need to prove dates to partners, investors, or courts
- For any digital document, code, design, or dataset
- When you want evidence that's independently verifiable
Proper IP Evidence from £10
immut provides the same thing self-notarisation attempts — proof that your document existed at a date — but does it properly. Cryptographically immutable, independently verifiable, court-admissible evidence from just £10. There's simply no reason to rely on sealed envelopes when real protection costs less than a coffee.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 'poor man's patent' actually work?
The 'poor man's patent' — mailing yourself a sealed envelope — has very limited legal standing. Courts often reject it because envelopes can be opened, resealed, or tampered with. It's not reliable evidence of an invention date.
Is blockchain timestamping more reliable than self-notarisation?
Yes. Blockchain timestamps are cryptographically immutable and independently verifiable. Self-notarisation methods rely on systems you control and can be challenged as tampered.
Can I email myself a document as proof?
Email timestamps come from servers that can be manipulated. Courts are increasingly sceptical of email-based evidence because the sender controls the system. Blockchain timestamps are recorded on a decentralised network that no one controls.
How much does proper IP timestamping cost?
Blockchain timestamping with immut starts from £10 per document. For the price of a few stamps and envelopes, you get evidence that actually holds up in court.
Need Help Choosing the Right IP Protection?
Book a call with our team to discuss which approach is best for your specific situation.