The haute couture guru was ordered to pay 140,000 in damages to American photographer Willam Klein for using his trademark technique of painting over photos in glossy magazine advertisments.
The incriminating adverts appeared in Vogue and Elle magazines in Britain, France and Russia.
Galliano - chief designer at the Christian Dior fashion house - admitted to the Paris court that he had been 'inspired' by Klein ideas but denied plagiarism.
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British fashion designer John Galliano (right) has been found guilty of plagiarising the work of American photographer Willam Klein (left)
The adverts have now been withdrawn from magazines.
Paris-based Klein, 79, said he was "furious" when he discovered his so-called contact-painting technique had been used without his permission.
He said: "I was very bitter and angry when I found out. It felt like a kick in the teeth to the integrity of my work."
The hearing took place at Paris's Tribunal de Grande Instance on march 28, but details were not released until today.
Galliano's French lawyers have said they plan to appeal the ruling.
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