diff --git a/README b/README
index c9392aee..301d51fd 100644
--- a/README
+++ b/README
@@ -55,6 +55,9 @@ Wget's home page is at <https://www.gnu.org/software/wget/>.
 If you would like to contribute code for Wget, please read
 CONTRIBUTING.md.
 
+Wget is offered under the terms of the GNU GPLv3 license. Please see the
+COPYING file for a full text of the license terms.
+
 Wget was originally written and mainained by Hrvoje Niksic.  Please see
 the file AUTHORS for a list of major contributors, and the ChangeLogs
 for a detailed listing of all contributions.