Library Access to Music Project
Encyclopedia
The Library Access to Music Project (LAMP) is a free music library for MIT students started by Keith Winstein and Joshua Mandel, and funded by the MIT/Microsoft iCampus alliance. Originally launched on October 27, 2003, it has been in continuous operation since October 25, 2004.
(e.g. Channel 63), then begins playing the selected music on that channel for anyone to listen to.
law is more lax about broadcasting over analog transmissions, such as MIT Cable, than it is about digital transmissions such as those made over computer networks. For example, a person wanting to transmit a copy of "... Baby One More Time", written by Max Martin
and performed by Britney Spears
, could do it either with an analog transmission or a digital transmission, whereas using an analog transmission would only require permission from BMG
, the publisher, whereas use of a digital transmission would require Spears's permission as well.
This aspect of copyright law is problematic for those wishing to transmit songs by artists such as The Beatles
. Their label, Apple Corps
, as well as others, typically do not allow digital transmissions of their music, which is why their songs were not available on online music stores such as iTunes until late 2010. However, songs by The Beatles are available on LAMP, since LAMP doesn't require Apple Corps's permission.
Initially, MIT purchased audio from Loudeye, Inc., in MP3 form. However, on the day of LAMP's initial launch, MIT was informed that Loudeye didn't actually have the necessary licenses to make the MP3s that they sold to MIT. Without music, LAMP was forced to go on a hiatus of about one year, until a different method of obtaining music was devised.
LAMP in its current incarnation requires someone to purchase a physical CD and place it in a CD jukebox, where it is then turned into an MP3. However, ripping MP3s of individual songs at will is still legally questionable, so LAMP takes advantage of the "ephemeral recording" provision of copyright law. Under this provision, consumers can create a "transmission program" so long as it is designed to be played back as a whole, in sequence. LAMP currently uses "transmission programs" that are approximately 30 minutes in length.
technologies. That is to say, it runs on Linux machines, uses an Apache webserver, a MySQL database, and Perl and PHP. Portions of the software are also written in C.
Using LAMP
A student wishing to use LAMP goes to the LAMP website, and selects several songs. LAMP assigns to the student a channel on MIT CableCable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
(e.g. Channel 63), then begins playing the selected music on that channel for anyone to listen to.
Legal Significance
One key advantage of LAMP, in addition to its being free for its users, is the fact that any piece of music is in theory available on it because copyrightCopyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
law is more lax about broadcasting over analog transmissions, such as MIT Cable, than it is about digital transmissions such as those made over computer networks. For example, a person wanting to transmit a copy of "... Baby One More Time", written by Max Martin
Max Martin
Martin Karl Sandberg, known professionally as Max Martin, is a Swedish music producer and songwriter. Raised in Stenhamra, a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden, he broke through as a producer and songwriter in the mid to late 1990s after crafting a string of hits for pop artists like the Backstreet Boys,...
and performed by Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
, could do it either with an analog transmission or a digital transmission, whereas using an analog transmission would only require permission from BMG
BMG
Bertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
, the publisher, whereas use of a digital transmission would require Spears's permission as well.
This aspect of copyright law is problematic for those wishing to transmit songs by artists such as The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
. Their label, Apple Corps
Apple Corps
Apple Corps Ltd. is a multi-armed multimedia corporation founded in January 1968 by the members of The Beatles to replace their earlier company and to form a conglomerate. Its name is a pun. Its chief division is Apple Records, which was launched in the same year...
, as well as others, typically do not allow digital transmissions of their music, which is why their songs were not available on online music stores such as iTunes until late 2010. However, songs by The Beatles are available on LAMP, since LAMP doesn't require Apple Corps's permission.
Initially, MIT purchased audio from Loudeye, Inc., in MP3 form. However, on the day of LAMP's initial launch, MIT was informed that Loudeye didn't actually have the necessary licenses to make the MP3s that they sold to MIT. Without music, LAMP was forced to go on a hiatus of about one year, until a different method of obtaining music was devised.
LAMP in its current incarnation requires someone to purchase a physical CD and place it in a CD jukebox, where it is then turned into an MP3. However, ripping MP3s of individual songs at will is still legally questionable, so LAMP takes advantage of the "ephemeral recording" provision of copyright law. Under this provision, consumers can create a "transmission program" so long as it is designed to be played back as a whole, in sequence. LAMP currently uses "transmission programs" that are approximately 30 minutes in length.
Technical information
LAMP is appropriately built of LAMPLAMP (software bundle)
LAMP is an acronym for a solution stack of free, open source software, referring to the first letters of Linux , Apache HTTP Server, MySQL and PHP , principal components to build a viable general purpose web server.The GNU project is advocating people to use the term "GLAMP" since what is known as...
technologies. That is to say, it runs on Linux machines, uses an Apache webserver, a MySQL database, and Perl and PHP. Portions of the software are also written in C.