Our sources have advised that it is possible to obtain separate protection for trademarks and patents in the Moldovan Dniester Republic ("MDR"), a territory which has claimed independence from the Republic of Moldova since 1991, although it is not officially recognized by any other country or by the United Nations. Although trademark and patent rights in the Republic of Moldova automatically cover the MDR, the MDR authorities do not recognize them. However, under a Provisional Statute passed in 1994, it is possible to obtain Certificates of Registration for both patents and trademarks in the MDR.