Now in its 17th year, the World Trademark Review (WTR) report ‘Anti- Counterfeiting and Online Brand Enforcement Global Guide’ combines strategic analysis with country-by-country brand protection practices.

At Authentication & Brand News™, we regularly track new government regulations and initiatives that may impact authentication. For example, in July, we reported on the California watermarking standards bill for differentiating AI-generated from human-generated content, as well as the EU adoption of a product sustainability rule directing the establishment of digital product passports. This month, four new regulations have caught our attention.

UAE-based E7 Group, a provider of commercial printing, security solutions, sustainable packaging, and logistics services, has announced a significant AED 182 million (approximately $50 million) investment in its security solutions division, E7 Security.

Differentiating between AI and ‘real’ content in California, the EU adopts a new product sustainability rule, and the US Federal Communications Commission votes to create a cybersecurity labelling programme for IoT devices.

While they say no to barcodes, Georgia voters could see a watermark on their ballot beginning in November, a move Republican supporters said would assure citizens that their ballots are authentic.

2024 promises to be an exciting year for the authentication industry, as seven of the world's ten biggest countries will be voting in national elections.

In May, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) invited feedback from stakeholders on current and future strategies to prevent counterfeiting and piracy.

The UAE has officially launched its national drug tracking system under the name of ‘Tatmeen’.

The Vietnam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency has put into operation a system of authenticating genuine goods via QRCode to encourage people and businesses to use solutions to develop products in eCommerce transactions.

In January, the European Commission and European Union Intellectual Property Office launched the new EU SME Fund, which offers vouchers for EU-based SMEs to help them protect their intellectual property rights.