An Athenian who bought a pirated music CD from an African street vendor has been jailed for three months for handling stolen goods, recording industry officials said.

According to a statement from the Greek branch of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the man, whose full name was not made public, was arrested last Thursday in Liosia in the act of buying two copied CDs from a vendor — who managed to run away.

After spending the night at the local police station, the hapless man was taken to court, where the judge dismissed his defense that he had not known the CDs were pirated.

At least 50 percent of all CDs sold in Greece are believed to be copies. Music industry officials have repeatedly called for strict action against buyers as well as producers and sellers of pirated CDs.