// vim:set filetype=asciidoc:
[[copyright]]
=== *debian/copyright* file

Debian takes copyright and license matters very seriously. The "Debian Policy Manual" requires a summary of these in the *debian/copyright* file of the package.

* "`https://www.debian.org/doc/debian-policy/ch-docs.html#s-copyrightfile[12.5. Copyright information]`"
* "`https://www.debian.org/doc/debian-policy/ch-archive.html#s-pkgcopyright[2.3. Copyright considerations]`"
* "`https://www.debian.org/legal/licenses/[License information]`"

The *debmake* command creates the initial *debian/copyright* template file.

* Double-check copyright information using the **licensecheck**(1) command.
* Format it as a "`https://www.debian.org/doc/packaging-manuals/copyright-format/1.0/[machine-readable *debian/copyright* file (DEP-5)]`".

Unless specifically requested to be pedantic with the *-P* option, the *debmake* command skips reporting auto-generated files with permissive licenses for practicality.

CAUTION: The *debian/copyright* file should be sorted with generic file patterns at the top of the list. See "`<<koption>>`".

NOTE: If you find issues with this license checker, please file a bug report to the *debmake* package with the problematic part of text containing the copyright and license.
