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11 Jan 2001, Italy

Dear Dr. Ecommerce:

Which is the difference, if there is one, between digital signatures and electronic signatures?

Thank you in advance.

Elisa Maggi

Dear Elisa:

Legal expert Corinna Schulze has kindly explained the legal difference between these two terms:

'Digital signatures (in the Directive called "advanced electronic signature") are a form of electronic signature based on "public key" cryptography. This is quite important for the question of legal recognition and evidence in court.

According to the Directive 1999/93/EC on a Community framework for electronic signatures:

"Electronic signature" means data in electronic form which are attached to or logically associated with other electronic data and which serve as a method of authentication.

"Advanced Electronic signature" means an electronic signature which meets the following requirements:

(a) it is uniquely linked to the signatory,
(b) it is capable of identifying the signatory,
(c) it is created using means that the signatory can maintain under his sole control, and
(d) it is linked to the data to which it relates in such a manner that any subsequent change of the data is detectable.'

Good luck,

Dr. Ecommerce

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