e-signature
n. An encryption system or other secure technology that enables a person to "sign" a document electronically.
Examples
2000
E-signatures aren't new — some companies have used them for years to save costs by improving internal workflow processes. But the e-Sign Act, which goes into effect Oct. 1, promises to make the use of E-signatures more widespread because of all the potential applications in E-commerce.
—George V. Hulme, “E-Signatures Spread To E-Commerce,” InformationWeek, July 03, 2000
2000
Forty states, including New York, have e-signature laws on the books to allow something other than ink on paper to be considered a valid signature.
—James M. Odato, “ 'E-signature' law changes government,” The Times Union (Albany, NY), July 02, 2000
1998 (earliest)
Legal recognition of electronic signatures means that, if the certificate and service provider meet the security requirements, it will be assumed that the e-signature benefits from the same legal recognition as a hand-written signature.
—Campbell Clark, “The Defining Signature of E-commerce,” The Scotsman, July 29, 1998
Notes
Name: E-Signature
Business: Electronic signatures. We take a person's signature and convert it into a true type font which enables a person to have their signature or logo appear on their computer screen. …Sample can be downloaded from http://www.e-signature.com.
—“Who's new,” The Ottawa Citizen, May 10, 1997