Forensic experts now have permission to examine a database seized from an Auckland real estate firm accused of unlawfully taking property data.

Former state-owned enterprise Terralink, which runs the Property Guru service, believes a group has been unlawfully using its data.

As a result, the spatial-data company has taken six parties to court including City Realty, which trades as Ray White City Apartments and is seen as one of central Auckland's top real estate firms.

City Realty's sales manager, Phil Horrobin, has previously said the company would "vigorously defend" the allegations. He said last week the firm had launched an internal investigation.