This September 2012 photo provided by Dakota Dunes, S.D.-based meat processor Beef Products Inc., shows a sample of their lean, finely-textured beef. BPI filed a defamation lawsuit Thursday, Sept, 13, 2012 against ABC News for what it alleges was misleading reporting about a product that critics have dubbed "pink slime." (AP Photo/Beef Products, Inc.)

Lawyers for a South Dakota beef processing company suing ABC News for defamation have asked a federal judge to remand the lawsuit back to state court.

Beef Products Inc. sued ABC News Inc. for defamation over its coverage of a meat product that critics dub "pink slime." The company is seeking $1.2 billion in damages.

ABC argues that two of the companies listed in the lawsuit, BPI Technology Inc. and Freezing Machines Inc., are not true parties and the case should be thrown out.

But in a motion filed Wednesday, BPI lawyers outline how all three companies have a stake in making the product called lean, finely textured beef.

A lawyer for ABC News didn't immediately return a message seeking comment.