Dear Tobia

I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Your request is receiving our attention and you will hear from us again within 20 working days at the latest.

Yours sincerely

Freya Austin

Freya Austin | Information Rights Assistant,
Information Rights, University Secretary’s Office
The Open University, Level 5, Charles Pinfold Building, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA
Email: [Open University request email]  

Freedom of Information Publication Scheme

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Dear Tobia 

Freedom of Information Request 

Thank you for your request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
relating the Open University Module A223-Early Modern Europe: Society and
Culture 1500-1780.

Information Provided 

I can confirm that the Open University holds the information falling
within the scope of your request, although exemptions have been applied
(see “Exemptions” below). 

The attached files address your submitted areas of requested information
set out in bold below. 

1.         The course textbooks 

2.        The TMA assessments* 

3.        Module materials and assessment guide (the assessment guide and
module guide are provided but the complete material is exempted as set out
below) 

4.       Audio and video content  

5.        Past papers for end of module assessment(s) * 

6.        Weekly study planners 

Exemptions 

Section 43 Freedom of Information Act 

We consider that releasing all the module materials would be likely to
prejudice the commercial interests of the Open University in providing a
commercially valuable insight into the University’s modular content in the
fiercely competitive environment of distance learning. 

This exemption is subject to a "public interest test" where the University
as a public authority is obliged to weigh the public interest in release
against the public interest in withholding the information.  We recognise
there is an overall public interest in understanding the substance of a
successful distance learning module in the current environment where more
education providers are shifting to a distance learning environment ;
however, we consider that this has been fully met by the substantive
material already released in this request.  Additionally, providing all
the modular material is likely to go beyond awareness raising and raise a
real and material risk of undermining the Open University’s commercial
position by providing detailed modular content for access by any
competitors. The OU’s success enables many people, in the UK and
elsewhere, and from a very wide range of backgrounds, to access higher
education. It would not be in the public interest for the OU’s commercial
position to be undermined by the release of this information.  In summary,
the public interest in disclosing the information is outweighed by the
public interest in protecting the OU’s commercial interests. 

Intellectual Property Rights 

This information provided in response to the FOIA will be subject to
copyright protection. In most cases the copyright will be owned by the
Open University.  The copyright in other information may be owned by
another person or organisation, and this will be indicated on the
information itself. You are free to use any information supplied for your
own non-commercial use or private study purposes.  The information may
also be used for any other purpose allowed by a limitation or exception in
copyright law, such as news reporting.  However, any other type of re-use,
for example by publishing the information in analogue or digital form,
including on an online format, will require the permission of the
copyright owner. 

Review 

If you have any concerns about the way the University has observed the
provisions of the Freedom of Information Act you may apply for your
request to be reviewed.  Freedom of Information Reviews are considered by
the University Secretary or his delegate.  Your request must be submitted
within 40 working days of receipt of this letter/email. Reviews should be
addressed to the above inbox, entitled “FOIA Review”, and should set out
the reasons for the review.   You will have a further right of appeal to
the Information Commissioner’s Office.  

Yours sincerely, 

* Attached for the first year of this module but further examination
papers are publicly available (at no cost) from[1]A223 - EARLY MODERN
EUROPE: SOCIETY AND CULTURE 1500-1780 - PDF DOWNLOAD | OU Students Shop

Kind Regards

Freya Austin

Freya Austin | Information Rights Assistant,

Information Rights, University Secretary’s Office

The Open University, Level 5, Charles Pinfold Building, Walton Hall,
Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA
Email: [2][Open University request email]  

[3]rule.png

[4]Freedom of Information Publication Scheme

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