A RETAIL manager set up an account in his 10-year-old son's name to flog counterfeit CDs and DVDs on internet auction site eBay, a court heard yesterday. James Russell Harley, 26, used his son's name and sold copied items on the worldwide web. He was caught when special investigators made a test purchase. The British Phonographic Institute bought a counterfeit CD and made a complaint to Flintshire public protection department. A search found more than 1,300 CDs and DVDs at Harley's home in Watson Close, Broughton, North Wales. A computer and copying system, which was capable of producing 11 copies from a single CD were also seized. Harley admitted 11 trademarks and copyright offences involving various CDs including School of Rock, Elton John Sings the West Coast and Now 86, and asked for 100 similar offences to be taken into consideration. Flintshire magistrates said that they were considering a community punishment order but adjourned sentence until next week for a report from the probation service. Richard Powell, prosecuting, said investigators found 540 names or email addresses, which showed the defendant had received payments of between £5 and £50. Interviewed, Harley admitted producing and selling the CDs on eBay but said that the payment account in the name of his son should have been in his own name. He agreed that he had sold DVDs on eBay but denied making them. Brian Cross, defending, said Harley was a man of previous good character, a family man who worked as a retail manager and who had a fascination for music. He had listed his own music but had started to share that fascination with other people. | 
