The Supreme Court of Canada has found in favour of Quebec animator Claude Robinson after a 20-year legal battle, ruling that Montreal-based production company Cinar violated his copyright and must pay compensatory damages.

Robinson created a cartoon character and show called The Adventures of Robinson Curiosity in the 1980s. The show, inspired by Daniel Defoe's novel Robinson Crusoe, was shopped around. 

Almost a decade later Robinson saw a similar show called Robinson Sucroe — which became quite popular. He sued for copyright infringement. 

Robinson won at the Quebec Court of Appeal in 2009, which ruled that the Montreal-based production company, Cinar, had essentially plagiarized his idea. 

After he was originally awarded more than $5 million in damages, Cinar appealed to the Supreme Court.

The production company lost the legal battle Monday in a unanimous ruling. 

With files from The Canadian Press