🔐 Prior-IP Proof Tool

Cryptographically prove your intellectual property ownership before entering business agreements

Overview

When entering business partnerships, collaborations, or negotiations, this tool provides irrefutable cryptographic proof that you possessed specific intellectual property on a specific date—before any collaboration began.

🌐 View Full Documentation

Why Use This Tool?

• ⏰ Timestamped Proof - Verifiable evidence of IP ownership on a specific date
• 🔒 Zero Trust Required - Cryptographic signatures are mathematically verifiable
• 🤐 Keeps Secrets Secret - Share only a hash, not your actual files
• ⚖️ Court-Ready - Digital signatures are legally admissible
• 🚀 Fast & Simple - Takes less than 60 seconds to generate proof
• 📋 Organized Output - Clear instructions for what to send to whom

Quick Start

Installation (macOS)

# Install Homebrew (if needed)
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

# Install GnuPG
brew install gnupg

# Download the script
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/vantasnerdan/prior-ip/master/prove-prior-ip.sh
chmod +x prove-prior-ip.sh

Usage

./prove-prior-ip.sh --file ~/Documents/my-secret-project

How It Works

1. Package your IP - Compress your confidential files/folders
2. Generate hash - Create a SHA-256 fingerprint
3. Sign digitally - Sign the hash with your private GPG key
4. Share proof - Send hash + signature to all parties (NOT the actual files)
5. Keep originals safe - Store the original files securely offline

If a dispute arises later, you reveal the original files and prove the hash matches what you sent on day one.

Output Structure

prior-ip-proof-2025-11-25_YourName/
├── 1_send_to_counterparty_and_lawyers/
│   ├── hash.txt                    # The SHA-256 hash
│   ├── hash.txt.asc                # Your digital signature
│   └── public-key.asc              # Your public key for verification
├── 2_KEEP_PRIVATE_OFFLINE/
│   ├── original-*.tar.gz           # Your confidential files (KEEP SAFE!)
│   └── README_KEEP_SAFE.txt
└── 3_send_to_YOUR_lawyer_for_vault_storage/
    ├── original-*.tar.gz           # Copy for your lawyer's vault
    └── README_FOR_LAWYER.txt

Real-World Example

Scenario: You're a developer with a proprietary ML algorithm, about to partner with a company to commercialize it.

Before the partnership:

./prove-prior-ip.sh --file ~/Projects/ml-algorithm

What you send to all parties: Hash + signature (3 files from folder 1)

What you keep private: The actual algorithm code

Six months later: Dispute arises. You reveal your files, prove the hash matches, and demonstrate you had the algorithm before the partnership. Case closed.

Use Cases

✅ Before entering joint ventures or partnerships
✅ Prior to sharing technical details in negotiations
✅ When collaborating with external contractors
✅ Before fundraising meetings where you'll share IP
✅ When joining a company but keeping personal projects
✅ During acquisition talks to protect your innovations

Technical Details

• SHA-256 Hashing - Cryptographically secure fingerprints
• RSA-4096 Signatures - Military-grade encryption
• GPG Standard - Industry-standard digital signatures
• Legally Recognized - Admissible under ESIGN Act, eIDAS Regulation, etc.

Documentation

For detailed instructions, FAQs, and more examples:

🌐 Full Documentation

License

MIT License - Free to use for personal and commercial purposes

Disclaimer

This tool provides technical evidence of IP ownership. It is not legal advice. Consult with an attorney for your specific situation.

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Built with cryptographic best practices. Inspired by industry standards from leading tech companies.