Effective Date: 25/04/2025
Version: 1.0
Article 1: Preamble
These Terms & Conditions govern your use of the Academic Timestamp platform, accessible at https://academictimestamp.com/ (“Website”), and all services provided by Academic Timestamp (“we”, “us”, “our”). By accessing, browsing, or using the Website, you (“user”, “you”, “your”) agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must refrain from using the Website and any associated services.
These Terms & Conditions constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Academic Timestamp concerning your use of the Website, its features, and the digital archiving services offered therein. They should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy, which outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard your data.
Article 2: Purpose and Scope
The purpose of Academic Timestamp is to provide a secure, accessible, and non-profit digital infrastructure for timestamping academic works. The service enables users to submit, store, and preserve research documents in draft, preprint, or final form, establishing verifiable authorship prior to formal publication.
These Terms & Conditions apply to all users who access or use the Website, including but not limited to individual researchers, graduate students, and independent scholars across all disciplines and geographical regions. Use of the platform is contingent upon compliance with these Terms, including all future amendments and updates.
Article 3: Nature of the Service
3.1 Academic Archiving
Academic Timestamp allows users to upload scholarly materials to be timestamped using cryptographic hash functions anchored in a publicly verifiable ledger. Each document is assigned a unique identifier, which serves as immutable proof of authorship at the point of submission.
3.2 Non-Editorial Function
Academic Timestamp is not a peer-reviewed journal. All submitted materials are preserved in the exact form in which they are uploaded. We do not engage in editorial review, modification, or content validation, and we make no claims concerning the academic quality, accuracy, or originality of any uploaded material.
3.3 Public Visibility
While documents are preserved for evidentiary purposes, they remain publicly accessible unless otherwise indicated. All associated metadata, timestamps, and user comments are likewise visible and attributable.
3.4 Forum and Comments
Registered users may submit public comments on uploaded materials. Comments are not timestamped but are stored in our encrypted archive. The aim of this feature is to foster academic dialogue and pre-publication critique, consistent with scholarly standards of collegiality and intellectual openness.
Article 4: Eligibility and User Registration
4.1 User Eligibility
Use of Academic Timestamp is open to individuals aged 16 years or older. By registering, you confirm that you meet this age requirement and possess the legal capacity to enter into this agreement.
4.2 Account Creation
To access certain services—including uploading academic materials and commenting—you must create an account. Registration requires the provision of a valid email address, a name (real or pseudonymous), and optional affiliation details. By registering, you agree to provide accurate and truthful information.
4.3 Account Responsibility
You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials. Any activity conducted under your account is presumed to be authorised by you. You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorised access or suspicious activity involving your account.
4.4 Account Termination
You may terminate your account at any time by submitting a written request. Note that submitted materials and associated timestamps form part of the public academic record and cannot be deleted post-submission.
Article 5: Intellectual Property and Ownership
5.1 User Retained Rights
You retain full intellectual property rights to any material you submit. Academic Timestamp does not claim ownership or publishing rights over uploaded works.
5.2 License to Archive
By submitting content to the Website, you grant Academic Timestamp a non-exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable licence to store, display, and preserve your material for academic and archival purposes. This includes the right to present the timestamp, metadata, and associated interactions (e.g., comments) in a publicly accessible format.
5.3 No Restriction on Future Publication
Uploading material to Academic Timestamp does not preclude subsequent formal publication in academic journals, monographs, or other outlets. However, you are solely responsible for ensuring that prior timestamping does not violate the terms of any future publishing agreements.
5.4 Moral Rights and Attribution
You affirm that you are the rightful author or authorised representative of the submitted work, and you retain all moral rights associated with authorship, including the right to be identified and the right to object to derogatory treatment of your work.
Article 6: User Conduct and Acceptable Use
6.1 Lawful Use Only
You agree to use the Website solely for lawful academic purposes. Submissions must not contain any content that is defamatory, plagiarised, obscene, discriminatory, or otherwise unlawful under applicable legislation.
6.2 Respectful Discourse
When participating in forum discussions or commenting on submissions, you agree to maintain academic decorum and avoid personal attacks, harassment, or derogatory language. We reserve the right to remove any comments deemed inappropriate.
6.3 Prohibited Activities
Users are prohibited from:
– Uploading content that they do not own or have permission to submit
– Attempting to circumvent, disable, or interfere with website security features
– Using automated systems to extract data (“scraping”)
– Introducing malicious code, viruses, or other harmful material
– Impersonating another user or misrepresenting one’s identity or affiliation
6.4 Moderation and Enforcement
We reserve the right to moderate, remove, or restrict access to any user content or account that violates these Terms & Conditions. In cases of serious breach, we may report activities to relevant authorities or academic institutions.
Article 7: Timestamping Process and Evidentiary Status
7.1 Hash Generation
Each uploaded file is subjected to a cryptographic hash function, which generates a unique digital fingerprint representing the file at the time of submission. This hash is then embedded in a public ledger for permanent verification.
7.2 Immutable Records
Once a timestamp is issued, it cannot be altered or revoked. Any subsequent version of the document must be uploaded as a new submission, receiving a separate timestamp and unique identifier.
7.3 Evidentiary Function
The primary function of the timestamp is to provide incontrovertible proof of authorship at a specific date and time. While Academic Timestamp makes no legal determinations, the timestamp may be used in academic, legal, or professional contexts to demonstrate intellectual priority or originality.
Article 8: Data Protection and Privacy
8.1 Compliance with Data Laws
Academic Timestamp operates in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other relevant data protection frameworks. By using the Website, you acknowledge and agree to the practices outlined in our Privacy Policy, which forms an integral part of these Terms & Conditions.
8.2 User Rights
As detailed in our Privacy Policy, you have the right to access, rectify, restrict, or request deletion of your personal data, subject to the limitations imposed by the platform’s archival function. You also retain the right to object to data processing and to receive your data in a machine-readable format upon request.
8.3 Security Commitments
We employ industry-standard encryption, role-based access controls, and secure transmission protocols to safeguard your information and submissions. While every effort is made to maintain robust security, we cannot guarantee absolute protection against all potential threats.
8.4 Public Nature of Submissions
By submitting material to Academic Timestamp, you understand that the content, timestamp metadata, and comments become part of a publicly accessible scholarly record. Accordingly, you should avoid uploading documents that contain confidential or sensitive personal information.
Article 9: Limitation of Liability
9.1 Platform Availability
While we endeavour to maintain uninterrupted access to the Website, we do not guarantee that the platform will be continuously available or error-free. Academic Timestamp shall not be liable for any interruptions, delays, or disruptions caused by technical maintenance, upgrades, or external network failures.
9.2 Use of Timestamps
We make no warranties, either express or implied, regarding the legal recognition or enforceability of our timestamping service in any jurisdiction. While timestamps may serve as evidence of intellectual priority, their probative value shall be subject to the applicable rules of evidence or institutional policies in a given context.
9.3 Content Responsibility
We do not verify the originality, truthfulness, or scholarly merit of user-submitted content. The user assumes full responsibility for any claims, representations, or implications made within their uploaded materials. Academic Timestamp is not liable for damages arising from reliance upon, or use of, such content by third parties.
9.4 No Liability for User Conduct
We are not liable for user comments, messages, or other contributions that may appear on the platform. Responsibility for all interactions rests with the originating user. We reserve the right to remove any material that breaches these Terms, but we are under no obligation to do so.
Article 10: Service Modification and Suspension
10.1 Service Updates
Academic Timestamp reserves the right to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, any aspect of the Website or its services without prior notice. This includes, but is not limited to, changes in the archiving process, interface design, access protocols, and community features.
10.2 Suspension of Accounts
We may suspend or terminate a user account without notice if it is found to be in violation of these Terms, involved in unlawful conduct, or compromising the security and integrity of the platform. Users whose accounts have been terminated are not entitled to re-register under a new identity.
10.3 Archival Continuity
Even in the event of platform discontinuation, we commit to preserving the timestamped record in a durable, accessible form. We will take reasonable steps to ensure the archival integrity of submitted documents, subject to the technological and financial resources available at the time.
Article 11: Intellectual Disputes and Plagiarism
11.1 Platform Neutrality
Academic Timestamp does not adjudicate disputes concerning authorship, intellectual theft, or plagiarism. While we maintain secure and dated records of submission, the resolution of disputes lies outside the scope of our service and must be pursued through appropriate academic, legal, or institutional channels.
11.2 Use of Timestamps in Disputes
The platform’s function is to provide evidence of prior submission in the form of a verifiable timestamp. Users may reference their timestamped materials when responding to allegations of unauthorised appropriation, but the ultimate interpretation rests with relevant third parties.
11.3 Misuse of the Platform
Users are strictly prohibited from uploading material to which they do not hold rights or for which they do not have explicit permission. Submissions found to infringe the intellectual property rights of others will be removed, and the responsible accounts may be suspended or terminated.
Article 12: Cookies and Technical Tracking
12.1 Use of Cookies
The Website uses cookies to enhance the user experience and provide session continuity. These may include session cookies (to maintain login states) and analytics cookies (to understand user engagement and improve platform functionality).
12.2 User Consent
By continuing to use the Website, you consent to our use of cookies as described. You may disable cookies in your browser settings; however, certain features may cease to function as intended if cookies are disabled.
12.3 Analytics and Future Technologies
We do not currently use third-party analytics or advertising plugins. Should such services be introduced in the future, users will be notified, and any data sharing will comply with our Privacy Policy and data protection laws.
Article 13: Jurisdiction and Governing Law
13.1 Applicable Law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising in relation to these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
13.2 Severability
If any provision within these Terms is held to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable by a competent authority, such provision shall be severed from the remaining Terms, which shall continue to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
13.3 No Waiver
The failure by Academic Timestamp to enforce any part of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of our right to enforce such provisions in future or to take action regarding similar breaches.
Article 14: Amendments and Updates
14.1 Right to Modify
We reserve the right to update, amend, or revise these Terms & Conditions at any time. Where required, we will notify registered users of significant changes via the email address provided upon registration or through an announcement on the Website.
14.2 Effective Date of Changes
Any modifications will take effect immediately upon being published on this page, unless otherwise stated. Continued use of the Website following the implementation of changes shall be deemed as acceptance of the revised Terms.
14.3 Review and Acknowledgement
Users are encouraged to review these Terms & Conditions periodically. By maintaining an active account or accessing the platform after changes are posted, you acknowledge your agreement to the revised Terms.
Article 15: Contact and Enquiries
15.1 Contact Information
If you have questions, concerns, or feedback regarding these Terms & Conditions, please contact us via our official contact page on the Website. We will respond to all reasonable enquiries in a timely and professional manner.
15.2 Formal Correspondence
All formal or legal correspondence regarding your use of the platform, including notices of dispute or intellectual property claims, must be submitted in writing through the designated channels specified on the contact page.
15.3 Language of Communication
All official communications shall be conducted in English. Where translations of these Terms & Conditions are provided for convenience, the English version shall prevail in the event of any discrepancies.