Digimarc System Enables State of Washington to Issue the First Enhanced Driver Licenses in North America

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Digimarc Corporation today announced the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) has issued the first Enhanced Driver Licenses (EDL) in North America, making Washington the first State to offer its citizens a convenient and cost-effective alternative to a passport or PASS card that can be used to re-enter the United States at sea and land border crossing points.

“We are pleased to be working with Digimarc to deliver the nation’s first Enhanced Driver License and help facilitate cross-border travel and economic opportunities for our citizens, particularly against the backdrop of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics,” said Liz Luce, Director, Washington State Department of Licensing. “It is an exciting day for Washington to be leading the nation in the issuance of Enhanced Driver Licenses.”

”Digimarc is pleased to offer a complete, secure border crossing solution that supports the objectives of the Department of Homeland Security and is economical and convenient for citizens,” said Bob Eckel, president, ID systems, Digimarc. “We are proud to have Washington as the first State to roll out the Digimarc EDL system in North America, establishing a model that other States and Provinces can easily adapt to meet their needs. We are well positioned to serve the growing market demand for EDL solutions and believe programs like Washington’s continue the movement toward more secure processes for issuing valid driver licenses.”

A key part of Digimarc’s EDL system in Washington includes applicant screening solutions to verify an applicant’s identity before issuing an EDL. Identity verification includes authenticating applicant proof-of-identity documents as well as biometric comparisons of facial photographs to ensure that only one license is issued to one legitimate card holder.

In Washington, citizens can choose an Enhanced Driver License option that is issued upon proof of citizenship, identity and residency, and serves as a WHTI-compliant alternative document to a passport for re-entry into the United States by land or sea. The new licenses cost $40, only $15 more than a standard Washington license.

For more information on Enhanced Driver Licenses, please visit: Department of Homeland Security Fact Sheet: Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDL)

About Digimarc

Digimarc Corporation, based in Beaverton, Oregon, is a leading supplier of secure identity and media management solutions. Digimarc provides products and services that enable the production of more than 60 million personal identification documents, including two-thirds of U.S. driver licenses and IDs for more than 25 countries. Digimarc’s digital watermarking technology provides a persistent digital identity for various media content and is used to enhance the security of financial documents, identity documents and digital images, and support other media rights management applications.

Digimarc has an extensive intellectual property portfolio, with more than 350 issued U.S. patents with more than 7,500 claims, and more than 500 pending U.S. and foreign patent applications in digital watermarking, personal identification and related technologies. The Company is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, with other U.S. offices in Burlington, Massachusetts; Fort Wayne, Indiana; and the Washington DC area; and international offices in London and Mexico. Please go to www.digimarc.com for more company information.