Sky TV seeks Fairfax injunction over Rio Olympics video

Roseline Filion and Meaghan Benfeito compete during the women's synchronized diving final at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Photo / AP

Sky Television has gone to the High Court seeking an injunction against Fairfax Media over the use of Olympic video.

The fight is scheduled to go before a judge this afternoon, according to court documents.

A Sky Television spokeswoman last night said the company could not comment as the matter was before the court.

Fairfax Media, which publishes the stuff.co.nz website and numerous newspapers around New Zealand, has been approached for comment.

The use of Olympics video footage has proved a contentious issue for both Fairfax and NZME, publisher of nzherald.co.nz and the New Zealand Herald.

Both news organisations withdrew their reporting teams from Rio after failing to secure an agreement with Sky Television over use of Games footage on its news websites.

NZME managing editor Shayne Currie said last month that "unduly restrictive" conditions imposed by Sky, which has purchased New Zealand broadcasting rights for the Games from the International Olympic Committee, had driven the decision.