Carl and Strike's discussion included:

> > participants, Jarrod Jablonski, of the WKPP, and Robert Carmichael, of
> > Halcyon, have apparently had their invitations withdrawn.

I think I met Jarrod and I know I've met Robert.  While neither is what I'd
call well known to me, or visa versa, I fail to understand why any diving
meeting would wish to exclude either.  Last time Robert was in the shop, he
proved more than willing to discuss a few things, tell why a few things are
done the way they are and listen and at least appear to consider the ideas
of others.  I can't imagine that they would be anything but a good addition
to any such event.  Even here, where we have no financial interest (at least
most of us don't), diving discussions can get animated to say the least.  I
think this is inherent in such discussions, particularly when participants
have given development of an effective system a lot of thought and effort.
I also think that, dispite the passion sometimes evident, that it's an
overall positive aspect of such discussions.

On the other hand, I've seen some of the gear being marketed in Australia
and was immediately struck by it's similarity in design and description to
gear sold by Halcyon.  I remember wondering whether there were patent issues
with some of the designs.  Now I wonder if patent issues might have been
part of the revoked invitation too.  Just a thought, but the last thing I'd
want at a dive convention, is the management of a company whose ideas I'd
infringed on.

I'd be very interested in what really happened on both sides and why.  If
there's someone out there that knows both sides of the story, please post.

Lee