A French court yesterday dismissed a suit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to halt sales of a comedy voodoo doll in his image.

The court in Paris in a ruling on Wednesday rejected Sarkozy's claims that the doll made by K&B Publishers represented an offense to his human dignity or a personal attack.

Instead, the creation and sale of Sarkozy voodoo doll were permitted by the publisher's right to freedom of expression and its right to express humor.

The Sarkozy voodoo doll is printed with some of Sarkozy's most famous quotes, such as "Work more and earn more," "Get lost you pathetic arsehole." Each doll comes with a 56-page instruction manual which recommends planting pins in those quotes.

The publishing company K&B has issued 20,000 Sarkozy voodoo dolls on sales on October 9, 2008. It will be allowed to continue selling the items.

The doll and manual can also be purchased on the internet, and individually for 12.95 euros each.

The lawsuit was the president's sixth personal claim since he was elected. Sarkozy sued Ryanair Holding PLC in February over an advertisement featuring Carla Bruni and also arguing violation of their right of publicity.