The OHIM is the official authority carrying out the intellectual property rights procedures for the Community trade marks since 1996 and for the Community registered design since 2003. These intellectual property rights are valid in all the countries of the EU. A uniform law applies to trade marks and designs, thereby providing strong and unique protection throughout the European Union. The uniformity means that formalities and management can be simplified and carried out in a single administrative centre - the OHIM. The simplification results in considerably reduced costs as compared with the overall costs of national registration in all countries of the European Union.