diff --git a/license.txt b/license.txt
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+
+All software in this project is copyright (c) 2015-2017 Drexel University.
+
+This release of leverUtilities is not yet public. It is intended for reviewer evaluation,
+and for select external collaborators working with Dr. Cohen's group. For now, the 
+software should be considered "unlicensed". Please do not redistribute or share.
+
+The software will be released free and open source concurrent with the publication
+of a manuscript describing the work. 
+
+We are still deciding which license to release under. This project does utilize the bioformats code 
+(http://www.openmicroscopy.org/bio-formats/) to convert from microscope file formats to an internal 
+lever format. Bioformats is distributed under the GPL, so any derivatives using bioformats must also
+be distributed under the GPL. This conversion is not central to lever.js or the leverUtilities project,
+so it may be possible to redistribute under a more permissive license. Please contact acohen 'at' coe.drexel.edu
+if you have an opinion on this.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
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+<h1>leverUtilities</h1>
+
+leverUtilities is a collection of helper functions used in lever.js (https://leverjs.net)
+and other projects. leverUtilities originated in the bioimage lab at Drexel University
+(https://bioimage.coe.drexel.edu). The software was developed primarily by Eric Wait and 
+Mark Winter, working with Andrew Cohen.
+
+<h1>license</h1>
+
+All software in this project is copyright (c) 2015-2017 Drexel University.
+
+This release of leverUtilities is not yet public. It is intended for reviewer evaluation,
+and for select external collaborators working with Dr. Cohen's group. For now, the 
+software should be considered "unlicensed". Please do not redistribute or share.
+
+The software will be released free and open source concurrent with the publication
+of a manuscript describing the work. 
+
+We are still deciding which license to release under. This project does utilize the bioformats code 
+(http://www.openmicroscopy.org/bio-formats/) to convert from microscope file formats to an internal 
+lever format. Bioformats is distributed under the GPL, so any derivatives using bioformats must also
+be distributed under the GPL. This conversion is not central to lever.js or the leverUtilities project,
+so it may be possible to redistribute under a more permissive license. Please contact acohen 'at' coe.drexel.edu
+if you have an opinion on this.
+
+