TfL Ref: FOI-2785-1819

Thank you for your email received on 21^st January 2019 asking for a list of all companies and individuals that have been granted permission to use the London Underground map commercially in the last ten years.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require – as shown in the attached spreadsheets. Note that we only hold the information as far back as 2012, so this represents seven years worth of data rather than the ten years requested. Note also that where permission has been granted to an individual this information is being withheld under section 40(2) of the FOI Act, the exemption relating to ‘personal information’. This exemption applies where a third party can be identified from the information and where such identification is deemed to be unfair. In this instance the names of individuals are obvious identifiers, and therefore the question of whether or not the information should be released rests on the question of fairness. In considering this question we have been steered by the guidance published by the Information Commissioner which states that we should take into account the following:

• the reasonable expectations of the individual, taking into account: their expectations both at the time the information was collected and at the time of the request; the nature of the information itself; the circumstances in which the information was obtained; whether the information has been or remains in the public domain; the FOIA principles of transparency and accountability; and

   

• whether there is a legitimate interest in the public or requester having access to the information and the balance between this and the rights and freedoms of the data subjects.

In this instance we can see no particular reason why the individuals would have expected their names to be released into the public domain, either at the time the permission to use the map was granted nor now. We can also not see any particular public interest in this information being released. We are therefore satisfied that the exemption rightfully applies. That said, I can inform you that across the seven years 19 individuals were granted permission to use the map.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely,

David Wells

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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