In a High Court writ naming Argos, sister chain Homebase and parent company Home Retail Group, Next has demanded an “unlimited” sum over the alleged copying of eight products in its range, sold by Home Retail under the Charlie banner.
Next wants the seizure and delivery or destruction of all the “infringing products” and an inquiry into damages payable.
The products comprise a wardrobe design, a drawer chest, a drawer bedside table and a desk.
Next’s action is potentially damaging for Home Retail, which is pushing furniture as a key driver of growth at its two fascias.
Next launched the Storm range in May 2006 and has submitted evidence from Argos and Homebase catalogues from 2007, the Argos web site of the same year and the Homebase web site as recently as February 20 this year.
A Home Retail Group spokesman said: “We vigorously refute the allegation and served our defence to the proceedings last week.”
No comment was available from Next.
* Fashion retailer Monsoon has issued a High Court claim for between£150,000 and£200,000 against Primark.
The dispute centres on a series of fabric prints used in 2005 and 2006.
Monsoon claims that Primark sold design-infringing products “put on the market only after the claimant’s designs had become recognised as associated with the strong selling products that they comprise.”
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