So new firearms developments were, practically speaking, not patented in Spain and could be copied there without legal penalty. The major arms designers of the time had their factories in France, Germany, Great Britain, and elsewhere, but not in Spain. In addition, a loophole in Spanish patent law gave these small shops an international advantage: a Spanish patent was only valid if the device in question was actually manufactured in Spain within three years of patent being granted. The area has been known for its metalworking resources and prowess for literally two thousand years, and it is little surprise that firearms manufacture would thrive there. Back at the beginning of the 20th century, Spain had a significant number of relatively small gunmaking shops throughout its northern Basque area.