Sigourney Weaver has been named in a $5 million lawsuit over a business deal involving a cosmetics company she part-owns.

The Avatar actress is a minority shareholder in the business, and owner Vincent Longo is being sued by Anthony Minuto after a transaction between the pair turned sour.

Weaver is named as a defendant in the lawsuit, which was filed in New York on Friday, despite Minuto admitting she had no involvement in the deal, according to TMZ.com.

He says, "Weaver is named a party defendant herein for no reason other than... she is a minority shareholder of the Corporation and this action seeks declaratory relief against the corporation."

Minuto is seeking nearly $5 million in damages and wants 25 per cent of the company.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)