diff --git a/etc/NEWS b/etc/NEWS
index b90b2ae865b..0b2834b3ae7 100644
--- a/etc/NEWS
+++ b/etc/NEWS
@@ -107,6 +107,10 @@ you need control over which C compiler is used.
 
 ** The refcards are now shipped as PDF files.
 
+---
+** The manuals are now licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License v1.3,
+or any later version.
+
 ---
 ** Emacs 23 comes with a new set of default icons.
 Various resolutions are available as etc/images/icons/hicolor/*/apps/emacs.png.