This article presents an evolutionary analysis of contracts, from the rigidity of Roman Law to the flexibility and complexity of contractual relationships in the digital age. The research addresses the importance of the digital signature as a tool to guarantee the authenticity, integrity, and legal validity of electronic contracts. The concepts of electronic, digitized, and digital signatures are explored, as well as the Brazilian legislation that regulates this practice. The relevant Brazilian legislation, especially Law 14.063/2020, is analyzed to verify how it regulates and validates digital signatures, highlighting any gaps or challenges that may still compromise legal security. To clarify the differences between types of signatures, the text details three types: electronic, digitized, and digital, explaining the particularities of each and the authentication methods, with emphasis on the ICP-Brazil certification system. The Brazilian Public Key Infrastructure (ICP-Brasil) is detailed as a fundamental system for the security of digital transactions. In addition, the different modalities of electronic contracts, the tools available for digital signatures are discussed, including presenting free digital signature tools made available by the Brazilian government and the challenges related to the security and legal validity of these documents. It is concluded that the digital signature represents a significant advance in the formalization of contracts, providing greater security, agility, and efficiency in legal relationships.
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