In 2023, despite a global decline in international trademark applications, fashion and beauty companies like L’Oréal, which filed 199 applications, and Shiseido, with 103 applications, saw increases. Luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton Malletier and Rolex SA also registered more filings. However, brands like Guerlain and Prada S.A experienced declines. The World Intellectual Property Organization reported a 7% drop in overall applications, attributing the decrease to the adverse environment for innovation. The U.S. led in filings, followed by Germany and China.

A WHO report highlights serious deficiencies in COVID-19 health-care waste management, revealing substantial waste from PPE and diagnostic kits. The report calls for a holistic approach to manage environmental and climate impacts, noting that health care is a significant contributor to global emissions. Recommendations include eco-friendly materials, investment in non-burn waste treatment, and improved waste segregation, particularly in poorer nations. The report emphasizes the need for investment in waste management infrastructure and training for waste workers.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe announced a sustainability standard endorsed by 56 countries, including the U.S., to provide traceability and transparency for garments and footwear. The standard utilizes an open-source Ethereum blockchain system and DNA markers to track items from production to purchase. Over 250 experts, including those from Vivienne Westwood, contributed to the guidelines. The blockchain platform ensures data confidentiality and allows consumers and companies to verify sustainability claims. The UNECE-standard was successfully tested on cotton and leather, and it supports the adoption of circular economic approaches in the fashion industry. The initiative also introduces a sustainability pledge for governments and stakeholders to improve the sector's environmental and ethical standards.

In the latest annual rankings by the World Intellectual Property Organization, Shiseido climbed to third place with 130 trademark filings, a significant increase from 70 the previous year. In contrast, L’Oréal, previously the top filer, dropped to fifth place with 115 applications. The report highlighted that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, innovation remained resilient. Other notable companies with increased filings include Abercrombie & Fitch Europe SA, Giorgio Armani S.P.A., and Richemont International S.A. However, some brands like LVMH Fragrance Brands, Hermès International, and Chanel Sarl saw a decrease in filings. Overall, international trademark applications saw a slight contraction of 0.6 percent in 2020, the first since the 2008-09 financial crisis, attributed to the pandemic's impact on new goods and services.

The International Labour Organization reported significant job losses in the retail and wholesale sectors due to the COVID-19 crisis, with a disproportionate effect on women workers. The Americas region has been the hardest hit. The ILO revised its labor market damage estimates upwards, with workplace closures affecting one-third of global workers. The labor market recovery for the second half of 2020 is expected to be uncertain and incomplete, with a potential second wave of the pandemic possibly leading to even higher working-hour losses.

Over 436 million businesses globally face high risk of serious disruption due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the wholesale and retail sector being the most affected, expecting 232 million enterprises at risk, according to an ILO report. The manufacturing sector, accommodation and food services, and real estate and administrative business services are also significantly impacted. Global working hours in the second quarter are expected to be 10.5% lower, equivalent to 305 million full-time jobs. The ILO emphasizes the need for government policies to provide income support for businesses and workers, including temporary subsidies and concessional credit lines to support employment retention. The report highlights the vulnerability of the 1.6 billion workers in the informal economy, who face severe consequences from lockdown measures.

The International Labor Organization reported that nearly 25 million jobs could be lost globally due to the coronavirus pandemic, surpassing the 22 million jobs affected by the 2008-09 financial crisis. The retail, travel, and tourism sectors are particularly at risk. ILO Director-General Guy Ryder emphasized the crisis's impact on the labor market and economy, while ILO's Sangheon Lee suggested a likely global economic contraction of 4-5%. The ILO called for coordinated policy responses to mitigate labor income losses, which could reach $3.4 trillion by year's end. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated over 200,000 COVID-19 cases and 8,000 deaths have been reported. The World Economic Forum highlighted the negative effects of flight cutbacks and export restrictions on medical supply chains.

Shiseido Co. Ltd. saw a significant increase in international trademark application filings in 2018, ranking seventh globally, while L’Oréal ranked second despite a decrease in filings. The World Intellectual Property Organization's report highlights the fashion and beauty industry's efforts to protect their brands, especially against online and traditional retail counterfeiting. The U.S. led in trademark applications, followed by Germany and China, with South Korea and Japan showing the fastest growth. A joint OECD and EU Intellectual Property Office report revealed that counterfeit goods represent 3.3 percent of global trade, with the majority originating from China and Hong Kong, and the U.S., France, and Italy being the most affected.

The UN Global Compact, promoting human rights, labor practices, environmental protection, and anti-corruption, is gaining corporate support amid climate change threats and globalization. At a Geneva summit, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon urged delegates to adopt the Compact's principles. Critics, however, demand that the UN ensure companies adhere to their commitments. Donald McDonald of the Principles for Responsible Investment highlighted a shift towards proactive corporate social responsibility.

The United States, represented by Ambassador Peter Allgeier, proposed a ban on harmful fishing subsidies at a WTO-sponsored meeting in Doha, Qatar. The proposal aimed to address overfishing and the depletion of fish stocks by eliminating government aid that contributes to excess fishing capacity. It garnered support from several countries but faced opposition from the European Union and others with strong fishing industries. Green advocacy groups, typically critical of the Bush administration, welcomed the proposal. Japan was identified as the largest subsidizer of fisheries, with the EU and China also providing significant subsidies.

Over 60 small and poor nations, predominantly from Africa, expressed apprehension that their interests might be overlooked in the World Trade Organization talks as major trading powers like the United States, European Union, Brazil, and India seek resolutions. Despite no breakthroughs, the talks were deemed constructive. African diplomats worry that a deal by the Group of 4 could ignore their issues with cotton subsidies and aid for trade. WTO Director General Pascal Lamy emphasized the need for these nations to be proactive in defending their interests. U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab faced criticism for the lack of transparency and vagueness regarding African concerns, particularly on cotton.

The United States maintained its position as the leading nation in international patent applications in 2006, with a 6.1 percent increase from the previous year. South Korea and China showed the fastest growth in patent filings. The World Intellectual Property Organization reported a record 145,300 international patent applications, with the U.S. accounting for 49,555. The largest number of applications came from multinational companies, with Philips Electronics leading. Japan and Germany followed the U.S. in the number of filings, while South Korea and China saw significant increases. Francis Gurry highlighted the shift in innovation centers from Europe and North America to Northeast Asia. Research In Motion settled a trademark lawsuit with Samsung Electronics and won a British patent lawsuit, securing the future of its BlackBerry e-mail service in Britain.

Top officials and business executives warn of turbulent times for the international trade system in 2007 unless a deal is concluded in the Doha round of negotiations. The talks collapsed in July after key nations failed to agree on farm subsidies and tariffs. Bilateral agreements may rise, potentially undermining the WTO's authority and escalating trade tensions. The WTO emphasizes that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, and the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos is seen as a stock-taking exercise rather than a negotiating meeting. National politics, such as President Bush's loss of the Republican majority and France's upcoming presidential election, cast a shadow over the negotiations.

Top officials and business executives warn of turbulent times for the international trade system unless the Doha round of WTO negotiations between developing and industrial nations can reach an agreement to liberalize global trade. The talks, aimed at improving trade in farm and industrial goods, collapsed after key nations failed to agree on farm subsidies and tariffs. The stalemate has led some countries to pursue bilateral agreements, potentially undermining the WTO's authority. Trade tensions and protectionism may rise without a global framework, increasing litigation over market access. The upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos and national politics in the U.S. and France cast further uncertainty on the negotiations.