Digimarc gives Russia digital driver's licenses

Digimarc Corp. and a Russian partner have won a $4.5 million contract to help the Russian Federation roll out digital driver's licensing to 744 locations.

Under the contract, Digimarc of Beaverton, Ore., and its Russian partner, Opticheskaya Tekhnika i Tekhnologiya (OTT) will help the customer upgrade the system it uses for issuing licenses from a film-based photo identification system to a secure digital system.

Digital driver's licenses provide better security than traditional film-based licenses and help guard against photo swapping and alteration, according to Digimarc.

The company has 15 years of experience with the Russian program. Its project work includes helping Latvia convert its licenses to a digital format in 2004.

Digimarc specializes in secure identity and media management products, services and solutions.