Jack Bunick claimed South Beach, which made it debut in 2006, was too similar to a 1999 pilot of a show that would have been called South Beach Miami.

US District Judge Richard Berman said there was "powerful evidence" Ms Lopez and TV networks UPN and CBS had independently created South Beach.

Mr Bunick's lawyer was unavailable to comment on the case.

The show, about friends Matt and Vincent who moved to South Beach to find a better future, has since been cancelled.

The judge also revealed Mr Bunick had admitted his scripts included generic ideas and commonplace elements of the club and modelling scene in South Beach, Miami.

Counsel for Ms Lopez, who was executive producer of the series, said in court papers she was barely involved in its creation and was only brought in at a later stage to "lend celebrity to the show".

Last week it was announced Ms Lopez will star in her own reality TV series, which will be based on her life as a singer, actress and new mother.