MGA Entertainment Inc. on Thursday filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking to overturn a federal judge’s ruling that a mistrial was not warranted in the high-stakes Bratz doll case.

Van Nuys-based MGA said it is appealing U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson’s ruling on Monday, which allowed the damages phase of the trial to proceed despite an incident of alleged juror misconduct. The company also asked the appellate court to issue a stay in the trial until the appeal can be reviewed.

Bratz maker MGA had asked for a mistrial last month after it was learned that a juror had made racial remarks about MGA Chief Executive Isaac Larian, an Iranian Jewish immigrant, during deliberations.

The 10-member jury found on July 17 that former Barbie designer Carter Bryant conceived of the Bratz characters and name while still employed by El Segundo-based Mattel Inc. The jury also held that MGA had interfered with Bryant's employment contract with Mattel.