Step 1: The reaction involves the halogenation of the aromatic ring in the presence of bromine (\( \text{Br}_2 \)). This leads to the substitution of a hydrogen atom by a bromine atom in the ring, producing the brominated product.
The correct product is the one where the bromine attaches to the phenyl ring in the presence of the carboxylic acid group, forming \(\text{C}_6 \text{H}_4 \text{COOH} \text{Br}\).
Thus, the major product is \(\text{C}_6 \text{H}_4 \text{COOH} \text{Br}\).