Paris Hilton's reality TV search for a new best friend is at the centre of an $8 million (£5 million) legal dispute between show bosses and producers in Dubai over plans to air the programme in the United Arab Emirates.
Lionsgate Television executives claim producers at Uniqon Emirates, LLC signed a written agreement to co-produce and distribute MTV's Paris Hilton's My New BFF in the Middle East.
But they failed to pay up more than $4.7 million (£2.93 million) to cover the production and distribution costs and Lionsgate bosses filed a federal suit for breach of contract in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Tuesday (02Feb10).
Hilton filmed a special season of the show in Dubai last summer (09) but the project has yet to make it to TV, reports TMZ.com.
Lionsgate producers are seeking compensatory damages for the failed deal.