PRS for Music, STIM and GEMA have announced that the world’s first integrated licensing and processing hub will launch under the ICE brand.
Its launch follows the granting of competition clearance in June earlier this year.
The ICE copyright database - which has operated since 2010 – will expand to include three services - ICE Operations will provide online matching and processing services, with authoritative multi-territorial copyright services; ICE Services will offer middle-office services including invoicing, legal support and business intelligence analysis to both ICE Licensing customers and those offering bespoke services, such as Solar, Aresa and PEDL; ICE Licensing will cover consolidated licensing of PRS for Music, GEMA and STIM’s multi-territory online rights and options for other rights-holders to join the same core licence.
A number of appointments in ICE’s expanded offering have also been unveiled. Ben McEwen will transfer from PRS for Music to become commercial director of ICE Licensing to lead the licensing and front office rightsholder acquisition and management. Neil Jones will be seconded from PRS for Music as the services director for ICE Services and will drive the setup of the operational and professional functions.
Robert Ashcroft was appointed as CEO of the ICE Licensing and ICE Services arm of the hub earlier this summer alongside his role as PRS for Music's chief executive.
Commenting, Robert said: ‘The DNA of this hub has been forged from the same qualities as the ICE copyright database, which was in itself born of collaboration and a strong will to solve big problems in the market place.
‘ICE is a truly mass market proposition that will appeal to the widest cross section of rightsholders and digital service providers operating across Europe. ICE builds out the brand with a truly flexible suite of options. It is set to deliver security, speed and reliability very cost effectively to all customers.’
Following launch, ICE will support over 250,000 rightsholders and multi-territory digital music companies across Europe.
Its launch follows the granting of competition clearance in June earlier this year.
The ICE copyright database - which has operated since 2010 – will expand to include three services - ICE Operations will provide online matching and processing services, with authoritative multi-territorial copyright services; ICE Services will offer middle-office services including invoicing, legal support and business intelligence analysis to both ICE Licensing customers and those offering bespoke services, such as Solar, Aresa and PEDL; ICE Licensing will cover consolidated licensing of PRS for Music, GEMA and STIM’s multi-territory online rights and options for other rights-holders to join the same core licence.
A number of appointments in ICE’s expanded offering have also been unveiled. Ben McEwen will transfer from PRS for Music to become commercial director of ICE Licensing to lead the licensing and front office rightsholder acquisition and management. Neil Jones will be seconded from PRS for Music as the services director for ICE Services and will drive the setup of the operational and professional functions.
Robert Ashcroft was appointed as CEO of the ICE Licensing and ICE Services arm of the hub earlier this summer alongside his role as PRS for Music's chief executive.
Commenting, Robert said: ‘The DNA of this hub has been forged from the same qualities as the ICE copyright database, which was in itself born of collaboration and a strong will to solve big problems in the market place.
‘ICE is a truly mass market proposition that will appeal to the widest cross section of rightsholders and digital service providers operating across Europe. ICE builds out the brand with a truly flexible suite of options. It is set to deliver security, speed and reliability very cost effectively to all customers.’
Following launch, ICE will support over 250,000 rightsholders and multi-territory digital music companies across Europe.
