Mike Cheng started it as a patch against the 8hz-MP3 encoder sources. LAME development started around mid-1998. All software from the LAME project can be found in the project's file area. For binaries and GUI based programs which can use LAME (or include fully licensed versions of LAME), check the LAME related links. LAME is only distribued in source code form. LAME is a high quality MPEG Audio Layer III (MP3) encoder licensed under the LGPL.