Member Profile - Wolfgang Lücke - Director of Musikmesse

Wolfgang Lücke is the director of Musikmesse and a big supporter of the International Music Software Trade Association. Wolfgang feels that it is very important for the industry to be behind IMSTA’s piracy education campaigns. This is the reason Musikmesse has shown great support for IMSTA since 2005 and has officially become an IMSTA member since 2007.

Wolfgang, could you please tell us about yourself? 

I'm 43, the father of two boys aged 11 and 14. I have a degree in marketing and, in my spare time, I like to attend concerts and football matches. I am also an active sports person.

How did you get involved with Music? Do you play an instrument?

It happened very early in life because my sister took me to all kinds of concerts. Then I toured a lot with school bands. Unfortunately, I was always the lighting or sound man. Never on stage! I'm sorry to say that I can't play an instrument. However, I love listening to music and know many musicians personally. Hence, there are always points of contact and subjects that we can discuss. I have been involved in the MI business since 1997.   <<Wolfgang Lücke

What other musical instruments companies have you worked at in the past?

Before being appointed Director of the Musikmesse, I worked for 'Musik Produktiv', one of Germany's biggest musical instruments dealers. There, I was responsible for marketing and also launched the 'Musik Produktiv' fair.

How does Messe Frankfurt and in particular Musikmesse approach the software piracy problem?

Messe Frankfurt has successfully been helping exhibitors protect themselves against product piracy and intellectual property theft with the 'Messe Frankfurt against Copying' service that is, of course, highly relevant to products from the music-software sector.

Why did you feel that it was important for Musikmesse to join IMSTA?

As the world's leading trade show for musical instruments and musical software, the Musikmesse covers all relevant fields of the sector. Hence, it is perfectly natural for me to join an important association for the music-software industry, such as IMSTA. The exchange of experience with other IMSTA members is also very important for us.

As you know, IMSTA faces the software piracy problem through educational campaigns. What suggestions do you have for IMSTA and its members?

The piracy problem is, of course, particularly acute for the software sector and all digital media. In my opinion, it is only possible to tackle this problem by offering potential customers with additional benefits and personal support. The course taken by IMSTA, to awaken awareness for intellectual property and the value of software, is another important step in this direction. Nevertheless, we must be aware that it will never be possible to put a complete stop to illegal copying.

Anything you want to say to the pirates out there reading this?

Would you like to work for nothing? I bet you wouldn't!

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