Let me give you the real picture (not legal, but real) of using "others" music as background to videos. I have produced some speciality videos that went national and even international in special arenas; ie. specialized safety videos for corporations; company enhancement videos for nationwide companies. (all of which you have never heard--they're big co., not "famous" co.) When I produce this type of video, it's orginal or copyright free music, or "with permission" all the way. Why? Because in this arena we have companies with tantalizing assets--$$$. And if caught using music that is not original, or copyright free or without the permission of the artists, the legal sharks will swoop in and sue everybody connected with the production: me, my associates, the company-client, and any other sub-contractors connected to the production because that action will produce some big bucks for the plaintiff. On the other hand, I have produced many videos for consumers and for "local-use-only" viewing. I did a "spoof" video for the local Rotary for their big annual meeting and used many forms of copyright music for the production. It was shown at the meeting, on local cable, and I sold copies to people who wanted one. Legal? No! Am I worried about getting caught and sued? No. Why not? First, the chances of being "caught" are pretty slim. I had a lawyer who specializes in this type of action tell me that I have a better chance of being bit by a shark than being caught using music for productions that will never see my county line. Second, I'm a very small fish to come after. I don't have the resources or assets that attract attention. I am not Disney or Ken Burns or National Geographic, or even a big production house that you might find in a small city. These are the people that cannot infringe on the copyright laws because it would cost them dearly. It would cost the plaintiff much more to come after a little fish like me and sue me for the little I have. It wouldn't even be worth it to "punish" me for using his work. I have done dive videos and made money from them and used copyright music to back them, but these videos will never be in the eyes of the national or international viewing public or in Discovery stores, etc. I have made hundreds of memory productions for private consumers using photos, 8mm film, slides, home videos, and backed them with copyright music. Legal? absolutly not! Am I worried? No. On the other hand, when I create a production for general consumer sale, and it is meant to go state or nation wide, the music will be original, copyright free, or have the permission of the artists or publisher. My $.02