An e-Soleau is a paid online deposit with France’s national IP office, INPI, that gives you a receipt showing the date and time of deposit and a fingerprint of each document. A blockchain timestamp, such as a TimeBind, records a file’s fingerprint on the Bitcoin blockchain. Both show that a file existed by a certain date. Neither gives you an intellectual property right. They differ in who issues the proof, how long it is kept, price, and whether the file leaves your device. This is general information, not legal advice.
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What e-Soleau is, according to INPI
INPI says e-Soleau lets you establish “la preuve de l’existence de votre création à une date donnée”. On its e-Soleau preparation page, INPI also says:
- after payment you get an email receipt showing the deposit date, the list of documents and their fingerprints;
- using e-Soleau doesn’t give you an intellectual property right over the content, but lets you get a date for your creation and rely on that prior date in a dispute;
- INPI keeps your documents for 5 years, and you can extend to 10, 15 or 20 years;
- the price starts at €15 for up to 50 MB, then €10 for each additional 50 MB, for each 5-year period;
- since 1 April 2024, paper Soleau envelopes can no longer be sent to INPI.
INPI’s e-Soleau deposit page adds that although copyright is acquired automatically on creation, it can be hard to prove that a work came first in a dispute.
How a blockchain timestamp works
With TimeBinder®, your browser makes a fingerprint (a SHA-256 hash) of each file, and the file stays on your device. The fingerprint is recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain. You get a Proof of Time Certificate showing the recorded time and the data needed to check it. A TimeBind shows that the exact file existed no later than the recorded time and still matches its fingerprint. See how it works.
Side by side
| e-Soleau (INPI) | TimeBind (Bitcoin) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues the record | INPI, France’s public IP office | A public blockchain; TimeBinder provides the certificate |
| Your file | You can have INPI store the file (up to 2 GB), or have only fingerprints calculated, according to INPI’s extension page | The file stays on your device; your browser makes the fingerprint |
| Retention | 5 years, extendable to 20 | A Bitcoin record is not tied to a retention period; keep your certificate and file |
| Price | From €15 per 5 years (more for larger deposits) | First Pooled TimeBind free; then from US$5; ASAP US$15 |
| Format | Receipt with deposit date, time (UTC) and fingerprints, signed with an INPI server seal, per the same page | Proof of Time Certificate with transaction details and QR code |
| Rights conferred | None | None |
Which should you use?
They don’t conflict, and some creators use both. Reasons to consider each:
- e-Soleau is run by a French public body. If you work mainly in France and want a receipt from INPI, it is a natural choice. Ask your lawyer how a French court may treat it.
- A TimeBind is quick, private (the file stays on your device) and not tied to one country. It is useful across borders, and for many versions of a work.
For how French courts have treated blockchain timestamps, see is a blockchain timestamp admissible in court?. For other registries and deposits, see copyright registration vs timestamp and WIPO PROOF alternatives.
What neither one shows
Neither shows who created the work, that it is original or that anyone owns it. For that you need other evidence, such as drafts, contracts and witnesses. See how to prove copyright ownership without registration and what is proof of existence?
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is e-Soleau?
It is INPI’s online service for depositing documents or their fingerprints to get a receipt showing a deposit date and time. It doesn’t confer an intellectual property right.
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How long does INPI keep an e-Soleau?
According to INPI, 5 years, extendable to 10, 15 or 20 years, with a fee for each period.
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Can I use a blockchain timestamp instead of e-Soleau?
You can use either or both. They are different kinds of record. Ask a French lawyer which suits your case.
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Does a TimeBind give me copyright protection?
No. Copyright arises from the creation of the work, according to INPI’s own e-Soleau pages. A TimeBind records that a file existed no later than a time.
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What does a TimeBind cost?
Your first Pooled TimeBind is free, with no credit card required. After that, Pooled TimeBinds start from US$5, and an ASAP TimeBind is US$15. See plans and pricing
Record your file’s date in minutes
Free to start. The file stays on your device and your browser makes the fingerprint.
Last fact-checked: 10 November 2026.
Want a second dated record of your file?
Add the same file to a TimeBind: your browser makes the fingerprint, the file stays on your device, and your first Pooled TimeBind is free.
Make your first TimeBind free → See plans and pricing
Your first Pooled TimeBind is free, with no credit card required. After that, TimeBinds start from US$5, and an ASAP TimeBind is US$15. Your browser makes the fingerprint and the file stays on your device. A TimeBind shows a file existed no later than the recorded time. It doesn’t show who made it.
