Mattel, maker of the ever-popular Barbie fashion doll, has won a major legal battle against its chief competition, Bratz, after a jury ruled the rival doll had been designed by a Mattel employee in breach of contract with the toy giant.

''A 10-person jury has rendered a unanimous decision that the majority of Bratz design drawings, prototypes and sculpts were created by doll designer Carter Bryant while he was employed by Mattel,'' a press statement sent out by Mattel said.

Mr Bryant had an agreement with Mattel, under which he assigned to the toymaker all ownership rights of anything he created during his employment there.

But while he was still at Mattel, Mr Bryant entered into a contract with California-based MGA company, licensing Bratz to them. That was in September 2000; Mr Bryant left Mattel in October of the same year.

A month later, MGA showed Bratz prototypes for the first time and in January 2001 exhibited Bratz at the Hong Kong Toy Fair. Bratz dolls hit shop shelves in June 2001.

Mattel's chief executive officer Bob Eckert said, ''This is a victory for all the hard-working people at Mattel who come together to create many of the most beloved toys for children.'' He called the jury's decision a victory ''for all those who believe in fair play''.

''While the case has been very complicated, the underlying principle has been a simple one you shouldn't take what isn't yours,'' he added. The decision affected MGA but not Mr Bryant, who reached an out-of-court settlement with Mattel in May, less than two weeks before the trial began.

The trial opened at the end of May, but the case has its roots in 1999, when Bryant worked for Mattel as a designer.

Mattel was founded in 1945 and manufactures and markets toys, games, dolls and other consumer products. Barbie is its most famous brand.

MGA Entertainment is also a toy manufacturer. It has been around since 1979, and its best-known line is Bratz.

The case is continuing, and the jury will be asked in the next phase to determine the amount of damages to be awarded to Mattel. AFP