About the USPS® EPM^® Service

It's easy to use the USPS EPM Service provided by Authentidate. Simply download the Plug-In for Microsoft® Office and purchase a block of USPS EPM seals to get started.

Overview

The USPS EPM is an auditable time-and-date service which can be used to verify the authenticity of a document sent electronically. The USPS EPM seal provides irrefutable proof of content, providing a legally viable option to conduct business in compliance with existing U.S. regulations. Authentidate is an authorized EPM Service Provider.

Once an USPS EPM seal is applied to a document, it may be utilized as proof that a document existed in that form as of a specific point in time. The USPS EPM seal is stored by Authentidate for up to seven years from date of application.

The U.S. Postal Service® defines and maintains the technical and operational standards for USPS EPM Service Providers, and will provide backup support to verify USPS EPM seals issued by Authentidate.

Secure Technology

The USPS EPM Service utilizes standard cryptographic techniques and auditable time stamps to provide trusted proof of the content of electronic content as of a specific point in time.

The USPS EPM Service accepts and stores information describing electronic files for later non-repudiation.  Electronic files, which remain at the customer location, are run through a cryptographic hash algorithm and then time-stamped using a secure auditable time stamping master clock.  The hash value, timestamp, certificate, and the USPS EPM seal, are stored by Authentidate in a highly secure repository for up to seven years from the date of application.

Later should an electronic file be the subject of a dispute involving questions as to whether changes have been made to the document, the electronic file's USPS EPM seal can be verified, authenticating the document. 

Legal Strength

In addition to United States federal and state legislative frameworks (Electronic Signature in Global and National Commerce Act [ESIGN, 2000], Government Paperwork Elimination Act [GPEA, 1998], Uniform Electronic Transaction Act [UETA, 1999]) which have been in existence for several years now to encourage people to form and sign contracts and agreements electronically.  

Key Features & Benefits

• Proof of data integrity
• Detect data tampering
• Online verification
• Store evidence of content authenticity for up to seven years
• Free downloadable software extension for Microsoft® Word, Office 2000, 2003, 2007 and XP
• Certificate of an Authentidate verification is available electronically or may be printed

Complies with U.S. Federal and State Electronic Commerce Legislation

• Electronic signing (ESIGN, UETA)
• Electronic transactions (GPEA)