diff --git a/COPYING b/COPYING
new file mode 100644
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+++ b/COPYING
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+THIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY, CODE IS UNDER THE LICENCE AT THE TOP OF ITS FILE.
+
+The README, CHANGES, FAQ and TODO files are licensed under the ISC
+license. Files under examples/ remain copyright their authors unless otherwise
+stated in the file but permission has been received to distribute them with
+tmux. All other files have a license and copyright notice at their start,
+typically:
+
+Copyright (c) <author>
+
+Permission to use, copy, modify, and 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 MIND, 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.