diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 05da5e1..ddc1dcc 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -46,13 +46,16 @@ lines
 ```
 
 
-License
--------
+Intellectual property
+---------------------
 
 The SipHash reference code is released under [CC0
 license](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/), a public
 domain-like licence.
 
+We aren't aware of any patents or patent applications relevant to
+SipHash, and we aren't planning to apply for any.
+
 
 References
 ----------