‘ICE GetOn – Transparency and Efficiency for Everyone’
Note
This topic is constantly evolving – and so is this page. Please do feel free to drop by from time to time, as we are constantly adding new content.
Together, we’re taking documentation to a whole new level
With ICE as an international partner, GEMA’s documentation processes will become more modern, more efficient and more closely integrated with the data of other European societies.
As a member, customer or sister company, you will continue to receive the same level of support as before – whilst at the same time, a shared database opens up new opportunities. On this page, we will guide you step by step through the changes.
Mid-December 2026: Go-live
4 weeks beforehand: DIDAS in read-only mode; work registration possible; further processing not until mid-December
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Timeline
Mitte Dezember 2026: Go Live
Together, we’re taking work documentation to the next level
With ICE as our international partner, GEMA’s documentation processes will become more modern and efficient, and will be more closely integrated with the data of other European societies.
For you as a member, client, or affiliate, the level of support you’re accustomed to will remain unchanged—while at the same time, a shared database will open up new opportunities.
On this page, we’ll guide you step by step through the changes.
ICE: A Reliable Partner for Work Documentation
ICE Copyright Services
The world's first multi-territorial copyright hub brings together the catalogue of works from its seven affiliated copyright clients, which cover two-thirds of the European market and represent over 50 million works.
How can you find out more?
We are doing our best to make the transition as smooth as possible. To ensure you always have the right information to hand, you will find documents and specific dates in this section to help you familiarise yourself with the changes.
Über ICE
ICE Services bietet seit 2016 Musikplattformen das Online-Repertoire von GEMA, PRS for Music und STIM europaweit aus einer Hand an. Inzwischen haben viele weitere Partner den ICE-Lizenz-Hub erweitert und wertvolles Repertoire hinzugefügt. Digitale Musikdienste wie beispielsweise Spotify oder YouTube erwerben bei ICE eine gebietsübergreifende Lizenz für das Gesamtrepertoire der angeschlossenen Partner.
Die Mission
Die Musiklizenzierung zu vereinfachen und die bestmöglichen Werte für die angeschlossenen Kunden zu schaffen.
Die Dienstleistungen
ICE bündelt die Dokumentation von Urheberrechten, verhandelt die Lizenzbedingungen mit digitalen Musikanbietern und verarbeitet die Nutzungsmeldungen dieser Plattformen. Dieser integrierte Service steigert die Effizienz im Umgang mit den stetig wachsenden Datenmengen, die durch die Vielzahl individueller Musiknutzungen entstehen.
Der Nutzen für unsere GEMA Mitglieder
Urheberinnen und Verleger profitieren von einer überdurchschnittlichen und transparenten Vergütung für die Nutzung ihrer Werke. Indem Prozesse zusammengelegt werden, erzielen wir zusätzlich hohe Synergien sowie Effizienzsteigerungen. Damit wurde die Bedeutung des GEMA Repertoires in der internationalen Musikbranche zusätzlich erweitert. Mittlerweile schüttet ICE mehr als eine Milliarde Euro pro Jahr an die durch sie vertretenen Urheber und Verlegerinnen aus.
Most important dates
Webinars and information sessions
We will be offering webinars and information sessions shortly.
A central work documentation system – What exactly does that mean for me?
Welcome to our FAQ Section!
Here, we answer the most important questions about the transition to the new documentation with ICE.
Whether you want to know what’s changing, what’s staying the same, or what benefits the new structure offers – you’ll find the answers here.
If you can’t find the answer to your question here, feel free to use our chatbot or contact us directly.
FAQ Section
General Questions
ICE GetOn is a joint project between GEMA and ICE, in which the documentation (GEMA works, catalogue agreements, the calculation of royalty rates) is migrated into a shared database (ICE Cube). Seven affiliated copyright clients are consolidating their data in this multi-territorial copyright hub, which covers over 50 million works and represents two-thirds of the European market. This will make processes more efficient, more transparent and more closely integrated with other European collecting societies. This offers considerable potential for efficiency gains. The systems are scheduled to be migrated in December 2026. The first distribution based on CUBE data will take place in April 2027.
Thanks to the shared and standardised data management system, processes will become more efficient, more transparent and more closely integrated with other European collecting societies.
The transition will affect different groups to varying degrees. It is therefore important to find out more at an early stage and review your own processes to ensure a smooth transition. We anticipate the following key changes:
- The new primary identifier is the ICE Work Key
- For new works in CUBE, only ICE Work Keys will be assigned
- For existing GEMA works, ICE Work Keys (IWK) will be added to the GEMA work numbers
- A mapping for migrated works (GEMA and ICE identifiers) will be provided
- In future, share pictures will be determined on the basis of the ICE Data Policy according to the 'Share Picture' principle, and no longer on the basis of the reported catalogue agreements
- Each work must be registered individually; catalogue conversions are no longer possible
- In the case of international or mixed works, discrepancies may arise in the share pictures, as the registration with the relevant collecting society is decisive in such cases
- Settlement files will be adapted to the new identifiers
Centralised, standardised data management and documentation of works leads to greater transparency and traceability, avoids duplication of effort between collecting societies, and also ensures faster, automated resolution of data conflicts (e.g. counterclaims).
There are regular webinars, information sessions and this central FAQ landing page. Do check back from time to time so you don’t miss anything.
- Check whether and how your processes are affected by the changeover.
- Keep your contact details up to date so that you receive all relevant information.
- Inform your internal teams and partners well in advance about the upcoming changes.
- Make use of the FAQs and information resources provided to clarify any outstanding questions and prepare for the changeover.
Weiterführende Fragen
Als generelle "Faustregel" gilt, dass sich für Verlage die aktuell schon an ICE melden, nichts fundamental ändert. Die Werke werden weiterhin über den gleichen Werkanmeldung-Account registriert und verarbeitet, und es gelten die gleichen Validierungen, mit denen Werkanmeldung-Submitter jetzt schon umgehen müssen.
Die einzige große Neuerung ist, dass ICE ARI-Records, also Informationen zum Musik-Text-Verhältnis verarbeiten muss.
Der Action Owner ist die Partei bzw. der Anspruchsteller, für den eine Aktion offen ist.
Beispielsweise wird ein CC erstellt und Anspruchsteller 2 wird zum Action Owner, da für Anspruchsteller 2 eine offene Aktion zur Unterstützung bzw. Überprüfung seines Anspruchs besteht.
Sobald Anspruchsteller 2 seinen Anspruch unterstützt hat, wird Anspruchsteller 1 zum Action Owner und ist dann verpflichtet, die Aktion zur Unterstützung oder zum Rückzug seines Anspruchs abzuschließen.
Organisationsstruktur