My Fellow Proud Trinis....

This Petition seeks to have the National Anthem of Trinidad and Tobago removed from the soca song "Happy People" 

If you agree PLEASE SIGN TO SUPPORT

 

The Soca Song "Happy People" was released in November 2024 by a popular  soca artiste . The beginning of the song is essentially the National Anthem of Trinidad and Tobago , set to a soca beat and compressed into 43 seconds , with the only addition being interjections of the word "well" at various intervals. The Anthem is copied in its entirety within the song, including its lyrics and melody . The copied work comprises the first 21% or just over 1/5th of the entire song, which is 3 minutes 16 seconds long. 

 

History of the Anthem

It is public domain knowledge that the National Anthem of Trinidad and Tobago is an original composition by Patrick S. Castagne. The original title "A Song for the Federation "  was composed in 1958 for the West Indies Federation for use as a possible anthem. When the Federation fell through it was later changed to "Forged from the Love of Liberty" and submitted as an entry in a competition to determine the national anthem of the nation . In 1962 the song was adopted by the newly independent Trinidad and Tobago and has been proudly sung from all corners of the nation and world ever since.

THE ISSUES

#1

While this petition does not make any legal claims , the Copyright Act states that registration is not required under the Copyright Act to obtain Copyright protection.

It also states:

PART IV
DURATION OF COPYRIGHT AND MORAL RIGHTS
 19. (1) Subject to the provisions of subsections (2) to (5),
copyright and moral rights of the author shall be protected during
the life of the author and for fifty years after his death.

Patrick Castagne (may he rest in peace) died on 5th May 2000 . Fifty years from this date would be 5th May 2050. 

Assuming rights were transferred to the  Government of Trinidad and Tobago as a result of the competion in 1962,(I do not have the details on this) it is assumed that permission would need to be obtained from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to use the Anthem in the song.I would be surprised if this was granted.( I could well be wrong, Legal minds will need to weigh in here)

#2

 Then there is the matter of National Pride. All Trinidadians are taught in social studies at the Primary school level , that special respect must be accorded to the National Anthem. The following guidance is given on the website of the Office of the President

"The National Anthem should be accorded the respect due to it when played, and on no occasion should it be treated with scant courtesy. 

.....

When the Anthem is being played, all persons should pay respect to it by standing to attention. Men in civilian dress should remove their headdress. Commissioned Officers of the Armed Forces, Gazetted Officers of the Police Service, Cadet Force Officers and Officers of the Fire Services, Prisons Service, St John Ambulance Brigade, Red Cross Society, Boy Scouts Association and Girl Guides Association, in uniform are to salute. All other ranks and all other persons are to stand to attention."

Clearly  the inclusion in a soca song is not in line with the protocols of the National Anthem.

#3

The final point is on a personal note. This petition does not imply that inclusion on the Anthem in the music was done maliciously (although perhaps in ignorance). Acknowledging that there is  some  percentage of the population , whose idea of national pride is to jump to the Anthem, this petition is meant to unite  the many Proud ( soca loving and otherwise) Trinis,  who still regard this symbol of our national strength & unity with high esteem and would see it accorded the respect it deserves. 

The anthem belongs to us all as Trinbagonians. No one person should make the unilateral decision to use it in contravention to the wishes of so many others, sacrificing tolerance and respect, for views and clicks . There are many who would like to jump to an otherwise catchy song, but are conflicted . I would imagine alienating a segment of potential consumers would not have been the intention of the artiste.

This petition is meant to raise awareness and peaceful respectful discussion. No malice is intended toward the artiste himself , nor issue taken with the rest of the song "Happy People" once the Anthem has been removed. 

 

 

PLEASE SIGN TO SHOW SUPPORT

Respect , Peace and Love.

 

Links to more Information

Forged From the Love of Liberty -Wikipedia

Patrick Castagne

Copyright Brochure-Intellectual Property Office

Copyright Act