Forum Moderators: phranque
However, when real-life lawyers and contracts are involved, I still don't think they're a substitute for ballpoint pen and a notary seal.
You can use signature to biometrically verify the person signing the document at the time of signature. False Acceptance is less than 5% even for a professional forger, this is significantly better than human signature recognition.
Unfortunately you are stuck with the problem of electronic forgery of the signed document.
Cost of signature pads is currently quite high, currently around $50-70 pe unit.
If you're going to use some kind of user verification fingerprint is much more accurate.
oh, and it intimidates people ;)
Nick
I still don't think they're a substitute for ballpoint pen and a notary seal.
During the Clinton presidency, the digital sig was deemed legal and a contractual binding endorsement, however it hasn't really caught on to wide spread use. I would expect it to be a slow, but eventual transition.
Two years ago, I wished to change DNS info (before this process became a common user-side feature.) The DNR demanded that I print out their form, have my signature notarized, and fax it back to them within a 48 hour interval - LOL
I sent them an email with my requested update, attached my digital sig and a statement from the security company who issued the security certificate stating the legality of digital sigs. This was accepted without rebuttal.
The key is to make sure that you and your merchants' lawyers agree FIRMLY as to what constitutes a digital signature.
Also, I've learned that it's wise to discuss beforehand which side is responsible for fines and/or restitution if a "digital forgery" was to occur.
