On Oct. 1, the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, or E-Sign, will take effect, giving electronic signatures the same legal standing as their paper-and-pen counterparts. This expansive federal legislation considers facsimiles of an original signature and recorded agreements over the telephone as forms of electronic signatures. However, it doesn't dictate whether an electronic signature needs to be secured, nor does it specify a type of technology. To further complicate matters, the law also lets each state regulate its own authentication technology.
News: Government
