Governance, Trademarks and Policies
Last updated
Last updated
The mission of the Python Software Foundation is to promote, protect, and advance the Python programming language, and to support and facilitate the growth of a and international community of Python programmers.
The Python Software Foundation (PSF) is a non-profit membership organization devoted to advancing open source technology related to the Python programming language. It qualifies under the US Internal Revenue Code as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) scientific and educational public charity, and conducts its business according to the rules for such organizations.
The PSF:
Produces the core Python distribution, made available to the public free of charge. This includes the Python language itself, its standard libraries and documentation, installers, source code, educational materials, and assorted tools and applications.
Establishes PSF licenses, ensuring the rights of the public to freely obtain, use, redistribute, and modify intellectual property held by the PSF.
Works with the Open Source Initiative to ensure that PSF licenses conform to the Open Source Definition.
Holds Python's intellectual property rights for releases 2.1 and following.
Seeks to obtain the intellectual property rights for Python releases prior to 2.1, for relicensing under the PSF Python license, to relieve the legal burden on Python's users. The PSF may also seek rights to other Python-related software for relicensing under a PSF license.
Protects the Python name, and the names, service marks and trademarks associated with all other intellectual property held by the PSF.
Solicits and manages contributions to the Python codebase, and may perform these services on behalf of other open source Python-related codebases.
Raises funds to support PSF programs and services. The regulations for public charity funding are complex. Some consequences are that the vast bulk of funding must come from private contributions (including sponsoring memberships) and public grants, must come from a broad base, and that no single private donor can supply a substantial percentage of the PSF's total funding. Additional revenue may be pursued in ways consistent with then-current rules for public charities and with Python's standing as an open source project. For example, the PSF may offer to sell conference proceedings, special Python distributions, or merchandise with distinctive insignia.
Publicizes, promotes the adoption of, and facilitates the ongoing development of Python-related technology and educational resources. This includes, but is not limited to, maintaining a public web site, planning Python conferences, and offering grants to Python-related open source projects.
Encourages and facilitates Python-related research in the public interest.
"Open source" is defined as: freely available technology licensed under terms compatible with Version 1.9 (or later) of the Open Source Definition, as established by the Open Source Initiative (see ).
If you believe that someone is violating the Python Code of Conduct, or have any other concerns, please contact the Python Software Foundation Code of Conduct Working Group immediately. They can be reached by emailing conduct-wg@python.org
Thank you for helping make this a welcoming, friendly community for everyone.
The Python community is made up of members from around the globe with a diverse set of skills, personalities, and experiences. It is through these differences that our community experiences great successes and continued growth. When you're working with members of the community, this will help steer your interactions and keep Python a positive, successful, and growing community.
If a participant engages in behavior that violates this code of conduct, the may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the community and community events with no refund of event tickets. The full list of consequences for inappropriate behavior is listed in the .
"Python" is a registered trademark of the PSF, as well as “PyCon” and “PyLadies”. The Python logos (in several variants) use trademarks of the PSF as well. Please see more details on .
In order to protect the term "PyCon" against unwanted or misleading use by third parties, the PSF claims the term “PyCon” as a trademark worldwide for conference activities. The PSF is additionally pursuing registration of the mark in various jurisdictions. Please see more details on .