It could make a difference if the question arises of whether you should help apply for a software patent. Ordinarily, it is best for you to avoid participating in patent applications. But if the company adopts a nonaggression policy, then you can help them apply for patents with a clear conscience. But do insist on a contract in writing promising nonaggression, since otherwise they could alter the policy after you sign the patent application. Except for an IBM, mutual defense is the only defense.
Mutual defense is only a partial solution to the problem of software patents.
The only way to eliminate the harm that software patents do is to eliminate patents entirely from the field of software. However, mutual defense and political activity can complement each other. While we organize to eliminate software patents, we can practice mutual defense as a temporary partial solution. Participation in mutual defense will raise public awareness of the software patent problem, which will stimulate support for a change in the law.