What is "fair use" of copyrighted music?

[Chris Alpiar]

Can anyone go into exact details of what is 'fair use' of copyrighted music? I know that you can create a parody and it is legal without consent, and I think there is some law about how many changes need to be made to a piece before it is no longer the original music. I think I remember hearing something about being able to use like 8 notes of a famous theme before it is illegal - but I really dont remember the specifics. Someone has asked me about this recently and I have no clue, so I would like to ask anyone here, especially music lawyers and management folks, what are the exact guidelines to fair use of copyrighted material, specifically music.

[Daniel Marshall]

I did find this nice wiki on this subject http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use

[Ray Kemp]

http://www.break.com/usercontent/2008/12/Coldplay-Vs-Joe-Satriani-6...

well I don't know the result of this or if it has even reach a court case yet, but make up your own mind.