diff --git a/licensing/private_license.txt b/licensing/private_license.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e5609db65
--- /dev/null
+++ b/licensing/private_license.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+PRIVATE PRIVATE PRIVATE
+
+This is a test license for the GATK
+all files will abide to it
+one license to rule them all
+
+PRIVATE PRIVATE PRIVATE
diff --git a/licensing/protected_license.txt b/licensing/protected_license.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d3966e17d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/licensing/protected_license.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+PROTECTED PROTECTED PROTECTED
+
+This is a test license for the GATK
+all files will abide to it
+one license to rule them all
+
+PROTECTED PROTECTED PROTECTED
diff --git a/licensing/public_license.txt b/licensing/public_license.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..84e93af8e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/licensing/public_license.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+PUBLIC PUBLIC PUBLIC
+
+This is a test license for the GATK
+all files will abide to it
+one license to rule them all
+
+PUBLIC PUBLIC PUBLIC