The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) said that patent applications in Taiwan totaled 73,627 in 2015, down 5.6% year on year, reported Commercial Times on February 3. However, Intel and Samsung both filed more applications related to semiconductor technologies last year. Intel had 956 applications and Samsung filed 194 applications, up 140% and 30%, respectively. Regarding Taiwanese companies, Foxconn remained the leading company with 596 applications for innovation patents, followed by TSMC's (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) 502 applications. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel makers AUO and Innolux continued to reduce patent applications by 20% to 50% in 2015. As for mobile devices, Apple and HTC both saw a drop in patent applications in Taiwan for the second consecutive year, down 7% to 15%. By nationality, over 60% of Taiwan's patent applications last year were filed by foreigners, said MOEA.