Technology Behind the Record
Modern cryptographic technology designed to make digital records independently verifiable.
SHA-256 Digital Fingerprint
A cryptographic hash represents the exact digital file you registered.
When you register a work, APR computes a SHA-256 fingerprint of the file itself. Change even a single character, pixel, frame, or byte and the fingerprint changes. The fingerprint does not reveal the contents of your file — it simply represents it.
Trusted Timestamping
Timestamps help establish when the cryptographic record existed.
The cryptographic record can be independently timestamped using RFC 3161 trusted timestamping technology. This creates third-party evidence that the record existed at a specific point in time — separate from APR's own database entry.
Independent Verification
Verification should not require simply trusting a database entry.
Anyone holding a file can compare it against the registered fingerprint. If the fingerprints match, the file corresponds to the registered digital record. If they do not match, the file is different. That comparison can be performed using the cryptographic evidence rather than relying solely on APR.
Verify a RegistrationAPR + CertNode
APR provides the creator-focused registration and verification experience. CertNode provides cryptographic proof infrastructure supporting independently verifiable digital records.
A SHA-256 fingerprint tied to the exact file you registered.
RFC 3161 trusted timestamping creates third-party evidence of when the record existed.
Verification uses cryptographic evidence, not just a database lookup.
For Technical Users
APR is an independent evidence and registration service. It does not replace registration with the U.S. Copyright Office, does not determine copyright ownership, and does not guarantee that any party will accept a particular record as evidence.