A fair share of the pie

The Editor:
For over 50 years, steelpan music has been one of the most sensational
music one can hear live. Persons from all over the world have visited
our shores to hear this sound. This has been one of the trademarks of
T&T. It is now engrained in our culture, yet we are at a loss for who
were the original creators of this percussion instrument.

History, however, has shown that many famous pan tuners in the early
1930s and 40s been commended as some of the best pan tuners in their
time.

Due to the rapid changes in modern technology, the development of
different instruments with their own distinct tone came in quick
succession with each person wanting to have their share of the pie.

It was because of this, the Attorney General in 2011, filed a claim on
behalf of the state that a patent submitted by some senior researchers
at UWI for the PHI (Percussive Harmonic Instrument) pan to be revoked.
This matter went to mediation.

As a result of the mediation between the Attorney General and the
senior researchers at UWI, it was agreed that instead of one group of
researchers getting the patent, UWI will now been included as a third
party to share in the ownership along with the state.

This is really a victory for us as citizens of T&T since we are now
basically two-third owners of this prized possession. Well done to the
AG for seeking the best interest of our country. A matter like this
definitely needs to be highlighted.

Shanti Ramdass
Chaguanas