I would like to run music on my twitch streams in the background. How do I know what songs are okay? And if I z.b. Playlist only with video game soundtracks, would that be okay? And what happens when you run GEMA-protected music?
Basically, you need the consent of the respective author, if you want to play the music in the stream.
First of all, you may only use music in which the author has given you permission to do so. (This may also be the case, for example, if the author publishes the music under an appropriate license, and you then have permission to use the music under this license without having to ask the author again.) If in doubt, you must ask the respective author if you are allowed to use the music.
This is true for video game soundtracks as well as for other music.
If the artist has registered the music with GEMA, you must notify GEMA that you would like to use / play the music publicly. Then you may use the music for a fee. (You then no longer need a separate permission from the respective author.)
If you use music that is not protected by the GEMA, but for which you have not received permission from the author, the author can theoretically remand / sue you.
The same applies to the GEMA-protected music, if you have not registered and paid. Then the GEMA can warn you accordingly. (For example, I've heard from someone before that GEMA then asked for double the additional fee.)
Also note: Just because a piece of music is "royalty free" does not automatically mean that you can use the music freely. This only means that the GEMA then can't make any appropriate claims, as the GEMA does not have the appropriate rights because license fees. The music is then still protected by copyright.
