diff --git a/core/bbs.js b/core/bbs.js
index 33301f70..a7246b8b 100644
--- a/core/bbs.js
+++ b/core/bbs.js
@@ -25,9 +25,12 @@ exports.main	= main;
 //	object with various services we want to de-init/shutdown cleanly if possible
 const initServices = {};
 
-const ENIGMA_COPYRIGHT	= 'ENiGMA½ Copyright (c) 2014-2017 Bryan Ashby';
+//	only include bbs.js once @ startup; this should be fine
+const COPYRIGHT = fs.readFileSync(paths.join(__dirname, '../LICENSE.TXT'), 'utf8').split(/\r?\n/g)[0];
+
+const FULL_COPYRIGHT	= `ENiGMA½ ${COPYRIGHT}`;
 const HELP =
-`${ENIGMA_COPYRIGHT}
+`${FULL_COPYRIGHT}
 usage: main.js <args>
 eg   : main.js --config /enigma_install_path/config/
 
@@ -90,7 +93,7 @@ function main() {
 		function complete(err) {
 			//	note this is escaped:
 			fs.readFile(paths.join(__dirname, '../misc/startup_banner.asc'), 'utf8', (err, banner) => {
-				console.info(ENIGMA_COPYRIGHT);
+				console.info(FULL_COPYRIGHT);
 				if(!err) {
 					console.info(banner);
 				}