Help needed on the Shoutcast protocol

[gryph0n]

Hi all,

I'm studying the feasibility of implementing the Shoutcast protocol. The server would be running Linux, and the client would be a handheld PalmOS device.

1>What i need is a description of the Shoutcast protocol. I couldnt find it on the site and neither thru googling. Can someone please point me in the right direction?

2>What exactly is streamed? What i mean is when a MP3 is streamed, is the file decoded at the server with the audio signal sent over the network, or is the file itself sent in small bits?

3>Are there any licensing/patent issues i need to be aware of while implementing the Shoutcast protocol (Other than the MP3 patents issue)?

Thanx,
Gryph0n