Use case
Blockchain Timestamps for Video Creators
Anchor master files before YouTube re-encodes them. Timestamp client deliveries before invoicing. Independent proof that your video existed exactly when you say it did.
The platform-compression problem
When you upload a video to YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, or TikTok, the platform re-encodes and compresses the file. The version that lives on the platform is mathematically different from your master — different bitrate, different codec, different file size, different hash. Platforms also strip metadata, can change aspect ratios, and frequently delete uploaded content.
This means the version of your video that exists publicly is not the version you actually finished. If you need to prove what your master file looked like — for a copyright dispute, a client conflict, or an AI training data claim — the platform version is not authoritative evidence. A blockchain anchor of the original master is.
How video creators use it in practice
Anchor masters before YouTube/Vimeo upload
Anchor the unaltered master file (typically a high-bitrate MP4 or ProRes export) before uploading. The anchored hash binds to the exact bytes of the master. If a dispute arises over what was originally published, the master plus the on-chain anchor is your authoritative record.
Anchor client deliveries before invoicing
For commercial work, anchor the final delivery file the moment you send it. The timestamp documents exactly what version the client received and when. Useful for re-licensing disputes, scope creep arguments, and non-payment situations where the client claims the work wasn't delivered.
Anchor rough cuts and edit milestones
If a project involves multiple revision rounds with a client or team, anchor each significant milestone — first cut, picture lock, color-graded master. The chain of timestamps documents your post-production timeline and the exact state of the project at each review.
Anchor raw footage from shoots
After a shoot, anchor the camera files (or a hash of the card backup) before any post processing. This proves what was captured on the day, separate from anything that could be added or altered in editing.
Anchor before festival or competition submission
Film festivals, competitions, and grant applications receive thousands of submissions. Anchor your submission file before submitting. The timestamp predates every viewer who handles the work, which is useful in concept-similarity disputes that can arise years later.
Anchor before AI training data inclusion
Generative video models train on scraped video data. If your videos appear in a training set without permission, anchored masters predating the model's training cutoff are verifiable evidence of prior existence in any AI training data dispute.
What about large file sizes?
Video master files are large — multi-gigabyte ProRes files, high-bitrate 4K masters, or hour-long recordings. ProofAnchor only transmits the 64-character SHA-256 hash, not the file. The hash is computed locally in your browser regardless of file size. A 50 GB master file produces the same 64-character hash as a 50 KB document. Anchoring cost is independent of file size.
For workflows that need to anchor thousands of files per month (production studios, content agencies), the Business tier ($49.99/month, 500 anchors) supports bulk upload and API integration into editing pipelines.
Pricing
Free tier: 5 lifetime anchors. Pro: $9.99/month for 50 anchors. Business: $49.99/month for 500 anchors with API access. See pricing.