Leonard Cohen's estate is "dismayed" over the Republican National Convention's unauthorized use of "Hallelujah"

The Hollywood Reporter

Sony says it denied the RNC's request to use the song, and now the estate of the late singer, songwriter poet and novelist is exploring legal action. "We are surprised and dismayed that the RNC would proceed knowing that the Cohen Estate had specifically declined the RNC’s use request, and their rather brazen attempt to politicize and exploit in such an egregious manner 'Hallelujah,' one of the most important songs in the Cohen song catalogue," wrote Michelle L. Rice, legal representative of the Cohen estate, in a statement. "We are exploring our legal options." ALSO: New York City tenants say they were tricked into appearing in an RNC video.