Article 13 An electronic signature shall be regarded as reliable if it meets the following conditions at the same time: (1) When the electronic signature production data is used for electronic signature, it belongs exclusively to the electronic signer; (2) When signing, the electronic signature production data is only controlled by the electronic signer; (3) Any changes to the electronic signature after signature can be found; (4) Any changes to the content and form of the data message after signature can be found. The parties can also choose to use electronic signatures that meet their agreed reliable conditions.

Article 14 A reliable electronic signature has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature or seal.

Article 16 Where an electronic signature requires authentication by a third party, a legally established electronic authentication service provider shall provide authentication services.

At present, many local laws and regulations in China stipulate that the legal effect of printing electronic seals is clearly restricted or denied.

For example, Article 4 of the Regulations on the Management and Use of Electronic Seal and Electronic Signature in Putuo District Education System in Shanghai stipulates: "Electronic official documents stamped with electronic seal and electronic signature have the same legal effect as paper official documents stamped with entity seal. However, the printed version, photocopy version or any form of electronic format conversion version of electronic official documents do not have the same legal effect. "

For example, Article 4 of the Interim Measures for the Administration of Electronic Seals in Sanya: "An electronic document stamped with an electronic official seal has the same legal effect as a paper document stamped with an entity official seal. Paper documents that are certified and printed according to regulations have the legal effect of official documents, but printed, copied or converted in any form of electronic documents do not have the same legal effect. "

Therefore, the printed copy of the electronic seal refers to the printed copy of the image similar to the trace of the traditional seal displayed in the signature result of the electronic seal (hereinafter referred to as "printed copy"), and the printed copy is generally recognized as a copy of the electronic seal.

In addition, the second paragraph of Article 280 of China's Criminal Law stipulates the crime of forging the company seal: "Whoever forges the seal of a company, enterprise, institution or people's organization shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years or criminal detention.