Permission Accomplished . . . Not

As the multimedia spectacular that was the Republican National Convention ended, a number of rights holders have come forward, claiming that their rights of publicity and of intellectual property were violated by convention organizers who didn't pay licensing fees or check with the parties in question in advance. In "Heart Object To McCain Campaign's Use Of 'Barracuda' During Republican National Convention," MTV reports that the 70s chart-toppers were unhappy with the unauthorized accompaniment of their tune with the stage presence of Vice Presidential pick Sarah Palin.

"The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission," it read. "We have asked the Republican campaign publicly not to use our music. We hope our wishes will be honored."

Although the Los Angeles Times reports that "Walter Reed Middle School students don't mind the media glare," apparently the school's principal feels quite differently, after an image of the school was digitally projected behind John McCain.

Principal Donna Tobin declined to comment because she was too busy with the first week of instruction, aides said. Later, however, she issued a statement declaring that "permission to use the front of our school for the Republican National Convention was not given by our school nor is the use of our school's picture an endorsement of any party or view."