29.4 The Legal Framework: The Python Software Foundation

Python is, at its core, a programming language. As a technology, Python needs an owner—a person or entity who can define it to the world, protect it from attack, and nurture its growth. While Guido van Rossum is the recognized father of Python, Guido doesn't want to be the sole person responsible for Python. The "what if Guido gets hit by a bus?" discussions have been dealt with by, over the years, defining a legal entity called the Python Software Foundation (PSF) to act as Python's legal owner. Thus, all of the Python intellectual property is being assigned to the PSF. The PSF has received provisional non-profit status from the US IRS, thus making donations to the organization tax-deductible. The PSF is composed of individual members (invited by the existing membership because of their contribution to Python) and is funded by corporate sponsorships. Information about the PSF is available at http://www.python.org/psf/. Both of the authors are members of the PSF and the second author is a director of the PSF. Essentially, what this means is that the PSF is an organization we believe is important to the long-term health of Python.