Historically, the legal concept of signature1 is very broad and can be defined as any mark that is made with the intention of authenticating a marked document or record. Signatures serve to give evidence or authenticate a record by identifying the signer

Historically, the legal concept of signature¹ is very broad and can be defined as any mark that is made with the intention of authenticating a marked document or record. Signatures serve to give evidence or authenticate a record by identifying the signer with the signed record. In some contexts, a signature records the signer's approval or authorization of the signed record and the signer's intention to give it legal effect. A signature also has some ceremonial significance, and can impart a sense of clarity and finality to a record or transaction. For purposes of evidence, a signature must provide for 1) signer authentication i.e., the signature must indicate who signed a record and should be difficult for another person to (re)produce without authorization, and 2) record authentication.