[pithon]

Or upload an encrypted version of the file or just a hash of the figure ahead of time? Then release the descrypt key later or when the figure is published, you can point to the hash which was uploaded publicly a long time ago?

[sebmellen]

This is exactly what we built at https://assembl.net with blockchain timestamping (and it really worked/works)!!! We had many researchers using it but sadly failed to commercialize.

We called it Assembl Chronos. It’s now available here at https://provenance.cerebrum.com. Please give it a try, I’d love to hear your thoughts :)

(More info: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/assembl-chronos-a-b...)

[sillysaurusx]

This would be the ultimate proof, but it would also require the system of justice to care enough to accept the proof. It sounds like they just don't care.

[ehsankia]

I don't think the system of justice would ever go after that random Chinese scientist, but it may be able to take down the fake arXiv entry, as well as help confirm to journals than your idea came first.

[wait_a_minute]

So make them care - tell your representatives, vote, etc. let’s make noise about it and it will happen.