Plagerism!!! in the Film industry!

[Nelli]

A while ago now I saw a trailer at the Cinema for the film the Mummy, and couldn't quite believe my ears as I could quite confidently recognise the music from the Film "Bram Stokers Dracula being played". Then again not so long ago I saw a trailer for another film (can't quite remember what it was) and along with the voice over, the music from "Braveheart" was being played......What is going on? has the film industry finally run out of ideas? I don't think so........or do they just think we won't get it. (Admittedly however these were trailers and not the actual films that were using previous aired music). Can anyone explain what may be going on? Nelli (a frustrated musician!!)

[Lord Panda]

Generally speaking, the people who make the film decide what music they want in it. They then have to apply to the owner of the work [usually a music publishing company rather than the artist] for a synchronisation licence, allowing them to use the music in conjunction with the song. Some companies won't allow it [which is why you don't find films with Beatles songs in], some only for some kinds of films. Generally speaking, getting your song onto the soundtrack of a major film is worth big money, so is it any wonder that the same tracks crop up more than once sometimes?