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?
In an era dominated by emails and messaging apps, fax may seem old fashioned. Yet where legal validity is concerned, fax has decisive advantages: automatic proof of delivery, high acceptance by authorities, and a documented transmission.
Why fax is legally recognised
The legal recognition of fax is based on a 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 supports the assumption that the document reached the recipient. This shift in 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 get caught in spam filters, fax uses a direct point to point connection. That means:
- No intermediaries where messages can be lost
- Immediate feedback on transmission status
- No risk of landing in a spam folder
An email read receipt can be refused by the recipient, 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 traditional 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 within seconds
- Full legal reliability: Identical transmission standard to traditional fax machines
This way, you benefit from fax without having to invest in outdated hardware.