MEMBER PROFILE:
Interview With Takahiro Sato – KORG Japan
KORG has always been very supportive of IMSTA and its educational methods of facing software piracy. Last year we had the opportunity to interview KORG USA’s Senior Product Manager, Jerry Kovarsky. This year, we are pleased to have had the opportunity to interview KORG Japan’s manager of product development, Takahiro Sato and discuss how KORG views software piracy.
Could you please tell us a bit about yourself?
I am the manager of a product development department at KORG Inc., and responsible for planning and development of software-based products. I have been involved in developing ‘KORG Legacy Collection’ series, ‘JamVOX’, and ‘KORG DS-10’.
How did you get involved in Music?
I started to play rock music and the electric guitar at age 12. Then, I became interested in Frank Zappa and the more I learned about his music and philosophy, the more I liked all kinds of music. Since then, music has meant everything to me!
With your busy schedule, do you still find the time to play music?
I play the guitar and the drums a little. I had gotten away from playing the guitar for some time, but the ‘JamVOX’ project has made me play the guitar again. Playing musical instruments is really fun!
How long have you been in this business?
I have been involved in the musical instruments business for almost 25 years now.
What other music related companies have you worked for in the past?
At the start, I worked for a musical instruments store, Ishibashi Gakki. Then, I went to work in Cameo Interactive which imported various electronic musical instruments and software products. And I established Steinberg Japan jointly with Cameo and Steinberg in 1998. In 2002, I left the CEO position there and joined KORG in order to launch the business of PC related products.
How does KORG approach the software piracy problem?
We have adopted Syncrosoft eLicenser, USB key copy protection with KORG Legacy Collection series. However, we focus on advantages and enhancing the satisfaction of our legitimate users rather than strengthening copy protection system.
<< KORG Legacy Digital Software Synthesizer
What are some reasons that you joined IMSTA?
We have been in total agreement with IMSTA’s policy and activities since its inception, and felt we needed the same educational activities in Japan. We worked with our subsidiaries like Korg USA so the Korg brand could show its support for IMSTA’s important messages and activities.
How can a company such as KORG benefit from its membership in IMSTA?
In order to keep and expand our software business, we feel it is important to join forces with all relevant companies. All companies need to show unity when it comes to our attitude against piracy.
As you know, IMSTA faces the software piracy problem with educational campaigns. As a valued member, what suggestions do you have for IMSTA?
Sadly, the war and the terror do not go away in the world, but appealing for world peace is very important. In the same way, piracy would not go away, however, continuing our educational activities are very important to the health of the industry.
Anything you want to say to the pirates out there reading this?
I really want know, what is your purpose?
(left to right) Hironori Fukuda, Kei Nakajima, Koichi Fujiyama, Takahiro Sato and Kazuhito Inoue
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