diff --git a/LICENSE b/LICENSE
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4110b4c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+Copyright 2022 randomuser
+
+Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification,
+are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+
+1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this
+list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+
+2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
+this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or
+other materials provided with the distribution.
+
+THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND
+ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
+DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR
+ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
+(INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES;
+LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON
+ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+(INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
+SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
diff --git a/README b/README
index e69de29..8ba04d5 100644
--- a/README
+++ b/README
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+tstatus
+-------
+
+simple modular status bar program
diff --git a/module.h b/module.h
index 7a60893..e228079 100644
--- a/module.h
+++ b/module.h
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+/* see LICENSE file for details on license */
 #ifndef TSTATUS_MODULE_H
 #define MODULE_BUFFER_LEN 64
 struct module {
diff --git a/tstatus.c b/tstatus.c
index de6b409..66941d7 100644
--- a/tstatus.c
+++ b/tstatus.c
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+/* see LICENSE file for details on license */
 #include "bspwm.c"
 #include "module.h"