Mr Davis says his music shop should not have to pay the licence

Andy Davis, who runs Andy's Records in the mid Wales town, has refused to pay his licence to a firm representing the interests of thousands of record companies.

Mr Davis has paid the �70 fee in the past but is now refusing, claiming that playing music in a record shop provides free advertising for artists.

Although he had decided to make a stand against licensing giant Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL), he admits he may have to pay up in the end.

But now PPL has issued a writ at the High Court in London seeking an order to stop Mr Davis playing music in his shop unless he pays up.

These people are vampires and I think that shops that sell music should be exempt from paying this licence Andy Davis

"I decided not to pay the fee because I believe it is ludicrous for them to charge me for playing music in my shop.

"We are selling their artists' music, so by playing music we are providing free advertising for them.

"These people are vampires and I think that shops that sell music should be exempt from paying this licence.

"But this is a 'David and Goliath' situation so in the end I don't suppose I have much choice but to pay up," he said.

PPL collects licence fees on behalf of more than 3,000 record companies.

It licenses clubs, pubs, hotels, restaurants and shops as well as people like exercise instructors and dance teachers.

A PPL spokesman said: "Mr Davis and ourselves are now communicating so it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at the moment."