diff --git a/copyright-exclude b/copyright-exclude
index bcbbba62..2430b60f 100644
--- a/copyright-exclude
+++ b/copyright-exclude
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 copyright-exclude
 LICENSE
-README.md
+README
 CONTRIBUTING.md
 src/main/javadoc/doc-files/expert-draft-bg-blank.graffle
 src/main/javadoc/doc-files/expert-draft-bg-blank.png
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index fabc8102..5999970f 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
         <findbugs.version>3.0.4</findbugs.version>
         <findbugs.exclude>exclude.xml</findbugs.exclude>
         <findbugs.threshold>Low</findbugs.threshold>
-        <copyright-plugin.version>1.41</copyright-plugin.version>
+        <copyright-plugin.version>1.49</copyright-plugin.version>
     </properties>
     <name>Java Servlet API</name>
 
@@ -329,6 +329,7 @@
                     <excludeFile>
                         ${basedir}/copyright-exclude
                     </excludeFile>
+                    <ignoreYear>true</ignoreYear>
                 </configuration>
                 <executions>
                     <execution>