diff --git a/LICENSE b/LICENSE
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..efb9808
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+
+Anyone is free to copy, modify, publish, use, compile, sell, or
+distribute this software, either in source code form or as a compiled
+binary, for any purpose, commercial or non-commercial, and by any
+means.
+
+In jurisdictions that recognize copyright laws, the author or authors
+of this software dedicate any and all copyright interest in the
+software to the public domain. We make this dedication for the benefit
+of the public at large and to the detriment of our heirs and
+successors. We intend this dedication to be an overt act of
+relinquishment in perpetuity of all present and future rights to this
+software under copyright law.
+
+THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,
+EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF
+MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT.
+IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR
+OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE,
+ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR
+OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+
+For more information, please refer to <https://unlicense.org/>
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ffda7d1..4dda451 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1 +1,7 @@
 # mestizo.monster
+
+## license
+
+the code to build the website is licensed under [The Unlicense](LICENSE).
+
+the actual content of the website (each of the pages being rendered) are licensed under [CC BY-NC 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).