diff --git a/util/merge_copyrights b/util/merge_copyrights
index ac983a2504..95e081b5ef 100644
--- a/util/merge_copyrights
+++ b/util/merge_copyrights
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 # OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR
 # PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
 
-# $Id: merge_copyrights,v 1.18 2004/03/05 05:14:16 marka Exp $
+# $Id: merge_copyrights,v 1.19 2004/03/05 12:56:28 marka Exp $
 
 %file_types = ();
 %file_years = ();
@@ -51,7 +51,10 @@ while (<FILES>) {
 	# .in files are processed by configure to produce the target file.
 	($base = $_) =~ s/\.in$//;
 
-	if ($base =~ /\.(c|h|css)$/) {
+	# Contributed code should maintain its own copyright.
+	if ($base =~ /\.\/contrib\//) {
+	     $file_types{$_} = "X";
+	} elsif ($base =~ /\.(c|h|css)$/) {
 	    $file_types{$_} = "C";
         } elsif ($base =~ /\.y$/) {
 	    $file_types{$_} = "YACC";