Comments on: How to Create a Scanned Digital Signature http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/ Pieces of the productivity puzzle. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:55:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mark Sheadhttp://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/comment-page-2/#comment-336520 Mark Shead Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:35:02 +0000 http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/#comment-336520 Steve - Good points. I think in many states a legal dispute over a contract will come down to whether or not there was an agreement. Your signature on a piece of paper doesn't necessarily mean you signed that piece of paper. Forging has been around for years. Steve – Good points. I think in many states a legal dispute over a contract will come down to whether or not there was an agreement. Your signature on a piece of paper doesn’t necessarily mean you signed that piece of paper. Forging has been around for years.

]]> By: Stevehttp://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/comment-page-2/#comment-335954 Steve Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:45:20 +0000 http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/#comment-335954 I agree with everything you said, except two things. #1. "No no no! Do not do this!" Why not? It is completely safe with certain things. It really depends on what you are adding your scanned signature to. For example, I frequently sign away my rights to things. Like copyright forms when publishing articles in journals. The journal has no reason to ever challenge my signature, since they want my copyrights. I guess I could claim later that I didn't really sign the form and I'd have to support that statement. Of course, if the journal was worried about that, they would require an original signature. #2. "It is not legally binding and can easily be challenged." The law is complicated. In many situations, contracts with these signatures would be completely valid. Although challenging such a contract would be possible, I doubt it would be easy. In most cases, there is a lot of evidence of intent that would go into determining whether or not someone did in fact accept a contract. I would sign and keep originals of any important documents, but for minor everyday things, using a scanned signature is a reasonable tradeoff between convenience and security. I agree with everything you said, except two things.

#1.
“No no no! Do not do this!”
Why not? It is completely safe with certain things. It really depends on what you are adding your scanned signature to. For example, I frequently sign away my rights to things. Like copyright forms when publishing articles in journals. The journal has no reason to ever challenge my signature, since they want my copyrights. I guess I could claim later that I didn’t really sign the form and I’d have to support that statement. Of course, if the journal was worried about that, they would require an original signature.

#2.
“It is not legally binding and can easily be challenged.”
The law is complicated. In many situations, contracts with these signatures would be completely valid. Although challenging such a contract would be possible, I doubt it would be easy. In most cases, there is a lot of evidence of intent that would go into determining whether or not someone did in fact accept a contract. I would sign and keep originals of any important documents, but for minor everyday things, using a scanned signature is a reasonable tradeoff between convenience and security.

]]> By: Gregg Buchananhttp://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/comment-page-2/#comment-332237 Gregg Buchanan Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:49:23 +0000 http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/#comment-332237 Yes, This procedure will prevent anyone from performing any editing function on the signature within the document. Yes, This procedure will prevent anyone from performing any editing function on the signature within the document.

]]> By: Mark Sheadhttp://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/comment-page-2/#comment-331774 Mark Shead Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:15:17 +0000 http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/#comment-331774 Are you sure that keeps them from being able to copy the signature out to put it somewhere else? At the very least they could screenshot it. Are you sure that keeps them from being able to copy the signature out to put it somewhere else? At the very least they could screenshot it.

]]> By: Gregg Buchananhttp://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/comment-page-2/#comment-331719 Gregg Buchanan Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:47:10 +0000 http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/#comment-331719 Actually there is a way in MS word to protect a picture added signature. This is done by creating a "section" using a "before" and "after" continuous break then restricting editing in this section. If your signature is at the end of the document then you would only need to add the before continuous break or in Mohin's case where others need to sign, you would need to create the section and protect it. The others could do the same if they wanted to protect their signature after adding it. The process has a few steps and the creator can edit the section. Only when others access the doc does the section protection get enforced. Here is the documented procedure: http://projectwoman.com/2009/03/protect-part-of-a-word-document.html. Actually there is a way in MS word to protect a picture added signature. This is done by creating a “section” using a “before” and “after” continuous break then restricting editing in this section. If your signature is at the end of the document then you would only need to add the before continuous break or in Mohin’s case where others need to sign, you would need to create the section and protect it. The others could do the same if they wanted to protect their signature after adding it. The process has a few steps and the creator can edit the section. Only when others access the doc does the section protection get enforced.
Here is the documented procedure: http://projectwoman.com/2009/03/protect-part-of-a-word-document.html.

]]> By: Mark Sheadhttp://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/comment-page-2/#comment-331173 Mark Shead Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:28:56 +0000 http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/#comment-331173 You might look at using Acrobat or some other service to actually sign the document with a digital signature. I don't think there is really a way around your issue. Of course they could just scan in your signature from a physical document and do the same thing. You might look at using Acrobat or some other service to actually sign the document with a digital signature. I don’t think there is really a way around your issue. Of course they could just scan in your signature from a physical document and do the same thing.

]]> By: Walt Ribeirohttp://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/comment-page-2/#comment-329033 Walt Ribeiro Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:54:53 +0000 http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/#comment-329033 worked perfectly, thanks! worked perfectly, thanks!

]]> By: Mohin Benninghttp://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/comment-page-2/#comment-326439 Mohin Benning Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:35:33 +0000 http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/#comment-326439 Hi Mark, I used you instructions on www.productivity501.com to create a digital copy of my signature, which had been scanned and edited using Paint Brush. My process is working fine, where I can insert this png file into a word document and then pass onto another colleague for thme to add their signature file and then email, without having to print, sign, scan and then email. Problem is that my colleague is able to copy my signature image during the process they are adding their signature file ? How can I stop this from occurring, as it does allow this person to send out information with my signature. Great instructions, would really appreciate any advice to get around my problem. Regards, Mohin. Hi Mark,
I used you instructions on http://www.productivity501.com to create a digital copy of my signature, which had been scanned and edited using Paint Brush.

My process is working fine, where I can insert this png file into a word document and then pass onto another colleague for thme to add their signature file and then email, without having to print, sign, scan and then email.

Problem is that my colleague is able to copy my signature image during the process they are adding their signature file ?

How can I stop this from occurring, as it does allow this person to send out information with my signature.

Great instructions, would really appreciate any advice to get around my problem.

Regards,
Mohin.

]]> By: Donhttp://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/comment-page-2/#comment-230282 Don Sat, 30 Jul 2011 16:48:36 +0000 http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/#comment-230282 There is a lot of good discussion and points here. But what I haven't found is that I also understand a fax is now considered a legal document, just like originals. If that is correct, then how it is done / proven that the fax was actually signed as intended, and there is no possibility of it being fake ? There is a lot of good discussion and points here. But what I haven’t found is that
I also understand a fax is now considered a legal document, just like originals.
If that is correct, then how it is done / proven that the fax was actually signed
as intended, and there is no possibility of it being fake ?

]]> By: Aman Talwarhttp://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/comment-page-2/#comment-222424 Aman Talwar Tue, 12 Jul 2011 04:35:56 +0000 http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/#comment-222424 Nice post Mark. I have to try it out at home. I have been looking for something like this for a while. Cheers. Nice post Mark. I have to try it out at home. I have been looking for something like this for a while.

Cheers.

]]> By: Jim Consultanthttp://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/comment-page-2/#comment-215867 Jim Consultant Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:01:03 +0000 http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/#comment-215867 Sometimes it is not just about can I do it, it’s about should and I do it and/or how. Without the proper software and/or governance around the cutting and pasting of an actual signature this practice is dangerous. Nowadays, there are many software products designed to control, monitor and authenticate the application of applying the facsimile of a person’s signature. Many are not expensive either. If I cut and paste an image of someone’s signature to an e-document it’s the same as a signing the hardcopy document with their name, yes? It is if you consider it, and use it like a real digital or e-signature is applied. If it is done without the proper protocols and procedures it could get a business person in hot water in a audit. If someone else does it for you it could be construed as forging a person’s signature; the same as it would be if you forged another person’s signature on a paper document by hand. Being in the cyber world does not change that, a fake is a fake; it only makes it easier to do, and on a larger scale. I would recommend that you at the least, have a clear policy established and procedures documented as to how and when you do this or if and when someone else has been granted authority to do this for you. Often times in the cyber world it is the process and protocols around the function that provide the credibility and will give you the preverbal, legal leg to stand on. Sometimes it is not just about can I do it, it’s about should and I do it and/or how. Without the proper software and/or governance around the cutting and pasting of an actual signature this practice is dangerous. Nowadays, there are many software products designed to control, monitor and authenticate the application of applying the facsimile of a person’s signature. Many are not expensive either.
If I cut and paste an image of someone’s signature to an e-document it’s the same as a signing the hardcopy document with their name, yes? It is if you consider it, and use it like a real digital or e-signature is applied.
If it is done without the proper protocols and procedures it could get a business person in hot water in a audit. If someone else does it for you it could be construed as forging a person’s signature; the same as it would be if you forged another person’s signature on a paper document by hand. Being in the cyber world does not change that, a fake is a fake; it only makes it easier to do, and on a larger scale.
I would recommend that you at the least, have a clear policy established and procedures documented as to how and when you do this or if and when someone else has been granted authority to do this for you. Often times in the cyber world it is the process and protocols around the function that provide the credibility and will give you the preverbal, legal leg to stand on.

]]> By: Mark Sheadhttp://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/comment-page-2/#comment-214097 Mark Shead Sat, 18 Jun 2011 23:05:39 +0000 http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/#comment-214097 I'm not sure exactly what you are asking, but if there is a question about whether or not someone signed something, call the person up and ask them if they signed it. I’m not sure exactly what you are asking, but if there is a question about whether or not someone signed something, call the person up and ask them if they signed it.

]]> By: wendyhttp://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/comment-page-2/#comment-213964 wendy Sat, 18 Jun 2011 09:13:13 +0000 http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/#comment-213964 Can a signature be reduced and superimposed onto another document in the event of making a legal document but not actually signed initially. We have a plan with signatures on and they are tiny as opposed the plan. This has caused concern as these signatures are so small that it would be impossible for the the person signing to write that small. Can a signature be reduced and superimposed onto another document in the event of making a legal document but not actually signed initially. We have a plan with signatures on and they are tiny as opposed the plan. This has caused concern as these signatures are so small that it would be impossible for the the person signing to write that small.

]]> By: Angiehttp://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/comment-page-2/#comment-212622 Angie Sun, 12 Jun 2011 17:06:20 +0000 http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/#comment-212622 You are so right. All I would have to do is use my browser add on called pixlr grabber, right click on your signature, stretch the outline around it, save to....and it's mine. Very simple. I wouldn't feel safe leaving much with anyone who accepted this as my true signature. You are so right. All I would have to do is use my browser add on called pixlr grabber, right click on your signature, stretch the outline around it, save to….and it’s mine. Very simple. I wouldn’t feel safe leaving much with anyone who accepted this as my true signature.

]]> By: Mark Sheadhttp://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/comment-page-2/#comment-204861 Mark Shead Sun, 08 May 2011 21:45:28 +0000 http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-create-a-scanned-signature/357/#comment-204861 What step is causing you problems? What step is causing you problems?

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