Patent ID: 6959382
Filing Date: 2005-10-25
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for providing authenticated documents to a plurality of users over a network, said method comprising the steps of: coupling, through a network, a computer of a first user, a computer of a second user and a server; implementing, on a server, a digital signature service; transmitting, over said network, a document from said computer of said first user to said digital signature service; importing a digital certificate for said first user into said digital signature service; generating a digital signature from said digital signature service at said server for said document and a certificate for said first user, said digital signature comprising a message digest that defines a unique fingerprint of said document; transmitting, over said network, said document, said certificate and said signature from said digital signature service to said computer of said first user; storing said document, said certificate and said signature at said computer of said first user; transmitting said document, said certificate and said signature from said computer of said first user to said computer of said second user; accessing, over said network, said digital signature service on said server from said computer of said second user; verifying, through said digital signature service, that the original content of said document is not altered; and authenticating, through said digital signature service, that said signor of said document is valid.