Waits has never allowed his songs to be used in advertising

Volkswagen-Audi breached his copyright by using an impersonator to perform a version of Innocent When You Dream in an advert, Barcelona Appeal Court said.

Waits' spokesman said he received "several thousand euros" compensation from the car firm and advert producer.

The gravel-voiced singer never allows his songs to be used in advertising.

'Understand words'

Waits' spokesman said it was the first time a Spanish court had upheld an artist's moral rights - which protect someone's personality and reputation - in a copyright case.

Spanish production company Tandem Campany Guasch had initially sought permission from Waits to use his original version of the song, which he refused.

"Now they understand the words to the song better," Waits said after the ruling.

"It wasn't Innocent When You Scheme, it was Innocent When You Dream."

Waits and publisher Hans Kusters Music won an initial court judgement in March 2004, before the case went to the appeal court.

The singer is currently suing General Motors' Opel and advertising agency McCann Erickson in Frankfurt, Germany, for broadcasting a separate series of car adverts that impersonate his voice.