Prof Brian Copeland and two colleagues received the 2008 Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the nation's highest award, for "Distinguished and Outstanding Service to Trinidad and Tobago in the Steelpan."
The year before, the Chaconia Gold Medal had been conferred to the Genesis Steelband Project team, led by Copeland for leadership in local research and innovation in the area of the steelpan. Copeland is the inventor of the "G-Pan Musical Instrument."
Patent applications have been filed in his name with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago as assignee.
This Patent Cooperation Treaty application has been published by World Intellectual Property Office on January 22, 2009, the European Patent Office on January 14, 2009, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office on January 15, 2009.
A Grant of Letters Patent has been issued by the Intellectual Property Office of Trinidad and Tobago and this application is in the Patent Pending Stage at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The invention is now being prosecuted in 61 jurisdictions. The G-Pan trademark was granted by the IPO of Trinidad and Tobago and prosecution of the said mark is progressing in 81 jurisdictions.