12.1.2 Patent application trends After LP-2015 went into force, in 2017, the number of applications for utility models decreased. One factor that may explain this decline was that infringement actions for utility models were then conditioned on owners obtaining a report on the state of the art, which had not been required before. In the case of patents, studies showed that while fewer applications were being submitted and granted for national patents, the number of those for international patents received from Spanish applicants – as well as for European patents ultimately validated in Spain – increased. Figure 12.1 shows the total number of patent applications (direct, PCT national phase entry and European patent ES designation) filed in Spain from 2000 to 2023. Figure 12.1 Patent applications filed in Spain, 2000-2023 Source: WIPO IP Statistics Data Center, available at www3.wipo.int/ipstats/index.htm?tab=patent and EPOPATSTAT, available at www.epo.org/searching-for-patents/business/patstat.html