http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=68717&c=1

PPL, the music royalties collection firm, has come under fire for alleged heavy-handed tactics in collecting late payment fees.

The company's approach has been thrown into the spotlight after a licensee was fined half the total of her bill for paying just over two weeks late – and told she could face jail if she challenged the fine.

The 50 per cent surcharge has been in place since last February, but the case serves as a major warning to other licensees who are late with their PPL fee payment.