Problems copying iTunes folder to an external hard drive - "The operation can't be completed because the item FILE NAME is in use"

Hi,
I have been trying to back up my iTunes folder from my MacBook hard drive over to a new LaCie external hard drive.  However, whenever I try to do it at some point during the copying I keep getting the warning "The operation can’t be completed because the item FILE NAME is in use".  Each time I have tried it, it is always a different file name that comes up and at different points of the copying.  Following the warning, the copying stops and cannot be restarted.
I tried copying the iTunes folder to another Lacie external hard drive that I have, and it worked fine so I am guessing that it maybe something wrong with the hard drive.
I've been trying various approaches all day and can't seem to get anywhere with it - all very frustrating, so any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks.

If you don't have other backup data on it, reformatting external drive could solve the problem.

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