Author Agreement FAQs

DocuSign Overview

How to Sign a Document

 

 

DocuSign Overview

What is DocuSign?

DocuSign is the leading eSignature solution in the market, allowing easy, efficient and secure signing of electronic documents. It provides a simple way to replace manual, paper-based methods.

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What is an electronic signature?

An electronic signature, or eSignature, as defined by the Federal ESIGN Act, is an “electronic sound, symbol or process, attached to or logically associated with a contract or other record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record” (ESIGN).

All 50 states have laws that define electronic signatures in substantially the same way.

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Are electronic signatures legal outside the U.S.?

DocuSign meets eSignature legal standards around the world, with documents being signed in 188 countries today.

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How does Media City Publishers use DocuSign and electronic signatures?

Media City Publishers uses DocuSign and electronic signatures to make it easy, fast and secure for authors to sign our publishing contracts and agreements. Approximately one to three business days after purchasing a publishing package, you’ll receive an email that will prompt you to sign our publishing contract using DocuSign. See the FAQ below for assistance on how to sign a document with DocuSign.

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What platforms are supported?

You can use DocuSign to sign virtually any type of document: .doc, .docx, .pdf, .xls, .xlsx, .txt, and more. DocuSign is also available on mobile platforms like Android phones, Apple iPhones, Apple iPads, and Windows 8 devices.

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Is DocuSign available worldwide?

Yes, people are using DocuSign around the world, with documents being signed in 188 countries.

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What is the difference between an “electronic signature” and a “digital signature?”

A digital signature by definition is a technology, a method of authenticating. It does not by itself meet the standards of what constitutes a valid electronic signature, nor does it mean that the signer’s identity has been verified.

A DocuSign signature is an electronic signature, but DocuSign uses digital signatures in this way: DocuSign signers have the option to apply a digital “seal” to an electronic document in order to make it tamper-evident when the transaction is complete.

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Are electronic signatures legally binding?

Yes, electronic signatures are legally binding in the United States. There are two Acts that establish this legality of electronic signatures – the U.S. Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN, 2000) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA, 1999). Both ESIGN and UETA establish that electronic records and signatures carry the same weight and legal effect as traditional paper documents and handwritten signatures stating: A document or signature cannot be denied legal effect or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form.

Not all eSignature solutions are created equal. Only DocuSign warrants federal ESIGN and UETA Act compliance.

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How to Sign a Document

Do I need a DocuSign account to sign a document?

No, signers don’t need an account, and you don’t need to buy anything. Signing with DocuSign is completely free.

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Does my online signature have to be identical to my handwritten signature?

No. The law recognizes that electronic signatures will not be identical to handwritten signatures. When using DocuSign to sign you may draw a signature or select a style. What it looks like does not matter. What matters is that DocuSign captures this step to create and adopt a signature.

Your DocuSign electronic signature has more information than just your ink on paper signature since the DocuSign signature can be clicked on to validate the signature and the document. This is not possible with paper.

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How do I sign a document?

Media City Publishers will send you an email that contains a link to open the Self-Publishing Services Agreement on DocuSign. Click “Review Documents” to start the signing process. Alternately, you can access the documents by going to the DocuSign website; click the “View Document” link and entering the document code from the email.

From there, the DocuSign Overview page provides a short summary of the signing process and has the consumer disclosure, which covers conducting business electronically. After you review the consumer disclosure, select the checkbox for agreeing to conduct business electronically. Then click “Review Document” to continue. Important! You must agree to conduct business electronically with the document sender in order to view and sign the documents.

The first time you sign a document, you’ll be asked to create your own signature. You can type in your name and select a font, create one with your mouse, upload a scanned image of your pen-and-paper signature, or use a stylus on your Apple iPad or tablet PC. This signature will be associated with a unique identifier so that every document you sign will be recorded as signed by you and you alone.

For more detailed information on how to sign a document, please visit FAQs on DocuSign’s website.

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Can I save my signature to use again in the future?

Yes. It’s easy to capture and save the signature you’d like to use by using the Manage Identity feature. Once you agree to use a signature, you can use that saved signature and initials. Plus, you can edit your signature at any time.

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I clicked on my signature in a PDF and nothing happened. Why is that?

In some PDF viewers, hyperlinks are not supported. The PC, Adobe Acrobat, Soda PDF, and Nitro PDF all support hyperlinks.

The Apple iOS, Adobe Acrobat and the native Acrobat software from Apple do NOT support hyperlinks, but third party applications, such as PDF Expert, do.

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Can I sign in pen on paper and fax or email back a signed document?

Yes, DocuSign allows signing with pen on paper. When you receive the initial email, click the “Sign on Paper” option. Follow the instructions to print, review and sign your document. Then choose to either return the document by fax or upload it as an attachment to the DocuSign envelope.

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Can I sign in pen on paper and postal mail back a signed document?

Yes, if you must, but we prefer to keep records electronically. If you want to send your documents snail mail, please see your publishing consultant for snail mail instructions. You will still need to download the agreement from either the website or from the DocuSign link that you received via email. Sign and date the agreement.

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