% FIXME: rewrite a bit.

The GPL permits distribution of a work in object code form over a network,

provided that the distributor offers equivalent access to copy the

Corresponding Source Code ``in the same way through the same place.''  This

wording might be interpreted to permit BitTorrent distribution of binaries if

they are packaged together with the source code, but this impractical, for at

least two reasons. First, even if the source code is packaged with the

binary, it will only be available to a non-seeding peer at the end of the

distribution process, but the peer will already have been providing parts of

the binary to others in the network, functioning rather like a router or a

cache proxy.  Second, in practice BitTorrent and similar peer-to-peer forms

of transmission have been less suitable means for distributing source code.

In large distributions, packaging source code with the binary may result in a

substantial increase in file size and transmission time.  Source code

packages themselves tend not to be transmitted through BitTorrent owing to

reduced demand. There generally will be too few participants downloading the

same source package at the same time to enable effective seeding and

distribution.