diff --git a/COPYING b/COPYING
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a01b7b697
--- /dev/null
+++ b/COPYING
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+Copyright (C) 2012 - 2017  Clifford Wolf <clifford@clifford.at>
+
+Permission to use, copy, modify, and/or distribute this software for any
+purpose with or without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above
+copyright notice and this permission notice appear in all copies.
+
+THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE AUTHOR DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES
+WITH REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
+MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR
+ANY SPECIAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES
+WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN
+ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF
+OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 514e32b35..92dc68a6a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ```
 yosys -- Yosys Open SYnthesis Suite
 
-Copyright (C) 2012 - 2016  Clifford Wolf <clifford@clifford.at>
+Copyright (C) 2012 - 2017  Clifford Wolf <clifford@clifford.at>
 
 Permission to use, copy, modify, and/or distribute this software for any
 purpose with or without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above