I've been struggling with trying to figure out permissions too, and found this interesting bit on
http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Permissions_FAQ
However I have not tried this LOL
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Object Contents Examples
Permissions can also be set on items which are inside other objects. The permissions on the inside objects are picked up by the outside object. These examples will give you an idea of how they work:
Example 1
A couch maker makes a new couch with a script and animation. They don't want the next owner to change the couch. The next owner needs to be able to customize the script, but the creator doesn't want it copied or given away. The animation is a free one, so they have to allow it to be copied.
Couch permissions: NO Modify, NO Copy, YES Transfer
Script permissions: YES Modify, NO Copy, NO Transfer
Animation permissions: YES Modify, YES Copy, YES Transfer
The container object, the couch, will take on the permissions in your inventory of all of the inner objects permissions, so it will appear as NO Modify, NO Copy, and NO Transfer until you rez it.