Despite its age, fax is considered one of the most legally reliable ways to transmit documents. But why is that, and when should you use fax?
At a time when emails and messaging apps dominate, fax may seem like a relic. Yet when it comes to legal reliability, fax has decisive advantages: automatic proof of delivery, high acceptance by authorities and documented transmission.
Why fax is legally recognised
The legal recognition of fax is based on one crucial advantage: the transmission report. It automatically records:
- Date and exact time of transmission
- The recipient's fax number
- The number of pages transmitted
- The transmission status (successful/failed)
A positive transmission report creates a presumption that the document reached the recipient. This reversal of the burden of proof is a key advantage over other transmission methods.
Fax vs email: the decisive difference
While emails pass through multiple servers on their way to the recipient and can be caught by spam filters, fax uses a direct point-to-point connection. This means:
- No intermediaries where messages can be lost
- Immediate feedback on transmission status
- No risk of ending up in the spam folder
An email read receipt can be declined by the recipient, whereas a fax transmission report is created automatically and cannot be influenced by the recipient.
Online fax: modern and legally reliable
With modern online fax services like FaxMonkey, you combine the legal reliability of classic fax with the convenience of digital communication:
- No fax machine required: Send faxes directly from your computer or smartphone
- Digital archiving: All transmission reports are stored automatically
- Immediate delivery: Your document reaches the recipient in seconds
- Full legal reliability: Identical transmission standard to traditional fax machines
This way you benefit from fax without having to invest in outdated hardware.