A still of a situation comedy shows Ge You slouching on a sofa has gone viral on internet. [Photo/Legal Evening News]

Chinese actor Ge You has won a lawsuit against a travel company that used his image without permission.

The image used by the company was taken from the sitcom I Love My Family, and shows Ge lazing on a couch.

The photograph has also become a Chinese Internet meme known as "Ge You-esque slouching" and is used by netizens to express their laziness.

Beijing-based travel company eLong was found to use the photo and other Ge portraits for advertising a garment brand on a company social network account in July 2016, according to a statement by the Beijing Municipal First Intermediate People's Court on Saturday.

The company mentioned Ge's name several times by saying "Ge You-esque slouching" in photo captions, according to the statement.