diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index 39203dabfb6..0ff333446eb 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ Please provide a brief description of the changes here.
 
 ## Merge requirement checklist
 
-* [ ] [CONTRIBUTING](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-dotnet/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) guidelines followed (nullable enabled, static analysis, etc.)
+* [ ] [CONTRIBUTING](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-dotnet/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) guidelines followed (license requirements, nullable enabled, static analysis, etc.)
 * [ ] Unit tests added/updated
 * [ ] Appropriate `CHANGELOG.md` files updated for non-trivial changes
 * [ ] Changes in public API reviewed (if applicable)
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 03e49840017..aca382c522a 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -253,3 +253,28 @@ expanding.
 some housekeeping needs to be done in public API definitions (`.publicApi`
 folder). This can be done automatically via a code fix offered by the public API
 analyzer.
+
+## License requirements
+
+OpenTelemetry .NET is licensed under the [Apache License, Version
+2.0](./LICENSE.TXT).
+
+### Copying files from other projects
+
+OpenTelemetry .NET uses some files from other projects, typically where a binary
+distribution does not exist or would be inconvenient.
+
+The following rules must be followed for PRs that include files from another
+project:
+
+- The license of the file is
+  [permissive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permissive_free_software_licence).
+- The license of the file is left in-tact.
+- The contribution is correctly attributed in the [3rd party
+  notices](./THIRD-PARTY-NOTICES.TXT) file in the repository, as needed.
+
+See
+[EnvironmentVariablesExtensions.cs](./src/Shared/EnvironmentVariables/EnvironmentVariablesExtensions.cs)
+for an example of a file copied from another project and attributed in the [3rd
+party notices](./THIRD-PARTY-NOTICES.TXT) file.
+