The archived document summarises the current thinking surrounding the application of the FOISA in relation to intellectual property. Specifically the note sets out how public authorities (referred to as institutions in the note) may be able to protect their research and development and addresses the question of whether the disclosure of information may be in breach of a third parties intellectual property rights, for example copyright.
The document is one of a series which attempts to illustrate how certain matters relevant to Further and Higher Education are likely to be treated under the Freedom of Information ( Scotland ) Act 2002 ("FOISA"). Although the information is principally aimed at Scottish institutions some of the information will be of interest to institutions UK wide. The document can be accessed in pdf format here - Freedom of Information and Intellectual Property Rights. The paper can be accessed in pdf format here - Freedom of Information and Intellectual Property Rights.