Are eSignatures Legally Binding?

With the world increasingly going digital, it's no surprise that more and more businesses are relying on electronic signatures (eSignatures) to get things done. But are eSignatures legally binding? 

Yes, electronic signatures are legally recognized and enforceable in many countries throughout the world.

In the United States, the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-Sign Act) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (as adopted in most states) give legal recognition to eSignatures. In the European Union, eIDAS sets the legal framework for electronic signatures.

LinkSquares Sign uses Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to authenticate its digital signatures so that each one is tied to an encryption key far more secure than simple electronic signatures. 

LinkSquares Sign also has the following functionality which were designed to comply with these laws:

• The LinkSquares Sign digital signature is attached to the document it appears on, as well as the exportable audit log of the signing process. 
• Each person who signs a document with LinkSquares Sign is associated with a unique email address and IP address, both of which are recorded in an exportable audit log. 
• LinkSquares Sign uses an electronic security certificate and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to create an encrypted, verifiable signature record. 
• LinkSquares Sign uses a secure signature creation device (SSCD) to generate the encrypted signature record. 

How secure is LinkSquares Sign?

LinkSquares Sign generates digital signatures, which are designed to be far more secure than conventional ink-on-paper “wet” signatures or even simple electronic signatures. Each person who signs a document with LinkSquares Sign is associated with a unique email address and IP address, both of which are recorded in an exportable audit log. This data is used to confirm the identity of each person who uses LinkSquares Sign.

Once a document is signed, LinkSquares Sign uses industry-standard technology to add encrypted metadata to the PDF, proving it has not been altered after the digital signature was applied.

LinkSquares Sign — natively integrated into the LinkSquares platform — is designed with security, compliance, and enforceability in mind. Contact LinkSquares today to learn more about if LinkSquares Sign is right for you. 

This blog is for informational purposes only as a general overview of e-signature laws and not a legal opinion. Further, different requirements may apply based on the specific jurisdiction and circumstances.