[Python-Dev] Introducing Electronic Contributor Agreements

[Stephen J. Turnbull]

Steven D'Aprano writes:

 > Pardon my ignorance, but how does a CLA protect us in the event of an IP
 > violation?

By licensing the content to the PSF, the contributor implicitly claims
that he has the right to do so (I think the AFL even has an explicit
provenance clause).  This protects the PSF against criminal
infringement and statutory damages for copyright violation (which
require wilful infringement).

I don't know it if helps for patent infringement.