Bringing up a long dead thread, I realize:

This has become a concern to me now that I'm actually beginning to do paid work more frequently. Using copyrighted music still seems like my only option - here in the states, there simply are no affordable alternatives to licensing music. Sure, I can use royalty free or amateur music, but most of it is rubbish, and what music I can find that isn't awful can only go so far when every other video service will provide whatever music the client requests.

It's a shame that there isn't a way to get an affordable license. I'd love to do things the legal and "ethical" way, but it just isn't an option.