On-chain record
We create certified and timestamped records of the books we publish and record them within a certification smart contract deployed on the Ethereum blockchain, as a permanent proof of existence.
Blockchain Timestamping for Books
Immutable, publicly verifiable proof that a book existed at a given time, recorded on a public blockchain.
Since March 2019
Certification on Public Networks
White Falcon Publishing has launched a blockchain certification and timestamping service for books. With this service, authors and publishers can certify and timestamp their books on public blockchain networks such as Ethereum or EOS.
Each book we publish can carry a unique QR code on the cover that points to a web page where anyone can verify the book’s certification record.
What Is a Blockchain?
A distributed ledger that keeps an immutable record of transactions without a single central authority.
A blockchain, in simple terms, is a distributed database or a global ledger that maintains an immutable record of all transactions on a blockchain network. Blockchain is a distributed data structure comprising a chain of blocks. The transactions are timestamped and bundled into blocks where each block is identified by its cryptographic hash. The blocks form a linear sequence where each block references the hash of the previous block, forming a chain of blocks called the blockchain. Each block maintains records of all the transactions on the network received since the creation of its previous block. A blockchain network is a truly peer-to-peer network and it does not require a trusted central authority or intermediaries to authenticate or to settle the transactions.
What Is Blockchain Timestamping?
A digital notary without a trusted third party: prove a document existed at a given time, without revealing its contents.
Cryptographic fingerprint
A unique hash is generated from the document. Any change to the content produces a different hash.
Public timestamp
The fingerprint is stored on a public blockchain with a timestamp as an immutable, publicly verifiable record.
Proof without exposure
As long as you retain the original document, you can regenerate the fingerprint to prove it existed when you timestamped it, without publishing the file itself.
Blockchain timestamping is a well-known use case that involves creating an immutable, publicly verifiable and timestamped record for a document on a public blockchain. You can imagine it like a digital notary service; however, unlike a traditional notary, you do not need a trusted third party. Blockchain establishes trust in a peer-to-peer network through distributed consensus rather than a powerful central authority.
How White Falcon Publishing Uses It
Certified, timestamped records of the books we publish, written into a smart contract on Ethereum.
QR code on the cover
Each book has a unique QR code on the cover that points to a web page where anyone can verify the book’s certification record.
What it proves
The certification record can be used for digital attribution, proof of existence, prior knowledge, integrity and authenticity.
Decentralised verification
The process is fully decentralised, as is the blockchain itself. No trusted third party is required later to prove certification. Authors refer to the book’s fingerprint (cryptographic hash) on the publicly available Ethereum smart contract.
Example of Certifying a Book
From cover QR code to the on-chain transaction. Click any image for a larger view.
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Cover with QR code
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Certification QR code
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Verification page
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Ethereum transaction
Publish with Tamper-Proof Attribution
Blockchain timestamping is one of the ways we protect authorship and publication date for the books we produce. Start with a plan, or contact us to learn more.