The makers of Bratz dolls have been ordered to pay more that £54 million in damages to Mattel, manufacturers of the iconic Barbie.

A California jury made the ruling for copyright infringement by the Bratz doll franchise, which has steadily taken market share from Mattel over the past seven years.

But the award fell well short of the £1.08 billion damages that Mattel was seeking.

In its lawsuit, Mattel contended it owned rights to the drawings and models upon which the big-headed, pouty-lipped Bratz dolls were based because former Barbie designer Carter Bryant made them while he was under contract to Mattel.

Mr Bryant settled claims against him for undisclosed terms before the trial began in late May.

MGA Entertainment, the owners of Bratz, said they would appeal the copyright infringement ruling.

Mattel Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Eckert said that the company was "pleased that the jury agreed with Mattel that what MGA did was wrong and that damages were awarded."

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