The Soleau Envelope Alternative
The Soleau envelope is limited to 7 paper pages and 5 years of validity. Digital deposit offers unlimited, permanent protection valid in 181 countries.
What is the Soleau envelope?
Invented in 1910 by Eug\u00e8ne Soleau, the Soleau envelope is a system from INPI (France's National Institute of Industrial Property) allowing creators to prove the existence of a creation at a given date. The principle is simple: the author places documents in a sealed envelope that INPI stores.
Since 2016, the physical envelope has been replaced by e-Soleau, a digital version. But the fundamental constraints remain the same: 7 pages maximum, 5 years of validity (renewable once), and recognition limited to France.
Good to know
The limits of the Soleau envelope
The Soleau envelope was designed in 1910 for paper documents. Here are its main constraints compared to digital deposit.
Accepted format
7 pages max
Soleau
Unlimited
Copyright01
Validity period
5 years
Soleau
Permanent
Copyright01
Geographic coverage
France
Soleau
181 countries
Copyright01
Cost per deposit
€15
Soleau
Free*
Copyright01
File types
Paper
Soleau
All formats
Copyright01
* 3 free deposits, then less than €1 per deposit
Soleau Envelope vs Copyright01
Two methods of proving prior existence, two eras.
| Criteria | Soleau Envelope | Copyright01 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum size | 7 A4 paper pages | No limit (text, photo, code, video, music) |
| Storage duration | 5 years (renewable once) | Permanent, AES-256 encrypted storage |
| Coverage | France only | 181 countries (Berne Convention) |
| Cost | €15 per submission | Free (first 3 deposits) |
| Speed | Several days (postal or e-Soleau) | Instant (certificate in under 5 minutes) |
| Digital fingerprint | No | SHA-256 / SHA-256 |
| Public verification | No | QR code verifiable online |
Myths and facts about the Soleau envelope
The Soleau envelope protects copyright
The reality
False. The Soleau envelope only proves the prior existence of a creation at a given date. Copyright itself is automatic upon creation (Berne Convention).
The Soleau envelope is valid internationally
The reality
False. The Soleau envelope is an INPI system, recognized only in France. Copyright01 delivers a certificate with certified timestamping, valid in all 181 Berne Convention countries.
You can deposit any file in a Soleau envelope
The reality
False. The Soleau envelope is limited to 7 A4 pages. You cannot deposit source code, audio files, videos or databases.
The Soleau envelope is free
The reality
False. Each deposit costs €15 at INPI. Copyright01 offers 3 free deposits with no size or format limits.
Frequently asked questions
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Question of
Explanation :
How many pages can a Soleau envelope contain?
7 pages maximum
50 pages maximum
No limit
The Soleau envelope is limited to 7 A4 pages, a constraint inherited from its 1910 invention.
In how many countries is the Soleau envelope recognized?
France only
181 countries
All EU countries
The Soleau envelope is an INPI system, recognized only in France. Copyright01 digital deposit is valid in 181 Berne Convention countries.
How long is a Soleau envelope valid?
5 years (renewable once)
10 years
Permanent
The Soleau envelope is stored for 5 years, renewable once for 5 more years. Copyright01 deposit is permanent.
Does the Soleau envelope protect copyright?
No, it only proves prior existence
Yes, it grants copyright
Yes, for 5 years
The Soleau envelope grants no rights. It only proves a creation existed at a given date. Copyright is automatic upon creation.
How much does a Soleau deposit cost at INPI?
€15 per submission
Free
€50
Each Soleau deposit costs €15 at INPI. Copyright01 offers 3 free deposits with no format or size limits.
Sources and references
-
1
INPI, e-Soleau inpi.fr
-
2
Berne Convention, WIPO wipo.int
Related Guides
Switch to digital deposit
The Soleau envelope belongs to the past. Deposit for free and get a certificate with SHA-256 fingerprint and certified timestamp, valid in 181 countries.
