Next joins fight to stamp down on bootlegging

Fashion giant Next has signed up to guidelines intended to prevent bootlegging in the fashion design industry.

The retailer has become the third, along with John Lewis and Selfridges, to agree to abide by rules drawn up by anti-copying campaigners Acid.

The guidelines require retailers not to copy or authorise copies of a product, and to provide staff training on the issue.

A Next spokeswoman said the principles had been circulated to staff, who had already received relevant training.

Acid chief executive Dids Macdonald praised Next, but added that she was keen to get other retailers such as Marks & Spencer to sign up.