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Ministry of Defence

  • Date 22 June 2016
  • Sector Central government
  • Decision(s) FOI 17: Upheld, FOI 26: Not upheld

The complainant has requested information from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) regarding ownership of the intellectual property for the Watchkeeper unmanned aerial vehicle. The MOD provided the complainant with some information but sought to withhold the remainder on the basis of the exemptions contained at sections 26(1)(b) (defence), 41(1) (information provided in confidence) and 43(2) (commercial interests) of FOIA. The Commissioner has concluded that the withheld information is exempt from disclosure on the basis of section 26(1)(b). However, in handling the request the MOD breached section 17(1) of FOIA.