diff --git a/Misc/NEWS b/Misc/NEWS
index 75cc88fc749..8a916f42334 100644
--- a/Misc/NEWS
+++ b/Misc/NEWS
@@ -23,6 +23,12 @@ Tools/Demos
   exactly the recursion limit is exceeded. Consequently, both exception types
   are caught and silenced.
 
+Build
+-----
+
+- Issue #3617: Include a licensing statement regarding the Microsoft
+  C runtime in the Windows installer.
+
 
 What's New in Python 2.6 release candidate 1?
 =============================================
diff --git a/Tools/msi/crtlicense.txt b/Tools/msi/crtlicense.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..4d0adb2d7da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Tools/msi/crtlicense.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+
+
+Additional Conditions for this Windows binary build
+---------------------------------------------------
+
+This program is linked with and uses Microsoft Distributable Code,
+copyrighted by Microsoft Corporation. The Microsoft Distributable Code
+includes the following files:
+
+msvcr90.dll
+msvcp90.dll
+msvcm90.dll
+
+If you further distribute programs that include the Microsoft
+Distributable Code, you must comply with the restrictions on
+distribution specified by Microsoft. In particular, you must require
+distributors and external end users to agree to terms that protect the
+Microsoft Distributable Code at least as much as Microsoft's own
+requirements for the Distributable Code. See Microsoft's documentation
+(included in its developer tools and on its website at microsoft.com)
+for specific details.
+
+Redistribution of the Windows binary build of the Python interpreter
+complies with this agreement, provided that you do not:
+
+- alter any copyright, trademark or patent notice in Microsoft's
+Distributable Code;
+
+- use Microsoft’s trademarks in your programs’ names or in a way that
+suggests your programs come from or are endorsed by Microsoft;
+
+- distribute Microsoft's Distributable Code to run on a platform other
+than Microsoft operating systems, run-time technologies or application
+platforms;
+
+- include Microsoft Distributable Code in malicious, deceptive or
+unlawful programs; or
+
+These restrictions apply only to the Microsoft Distributable Code as
+defined above, not to Python itself or any programs running on the
+Python interpreter. The redistribution of the Python interpreter and
+libraries is governed by the Python Software License included with this
+file, or by other licenses as marked.
+
diff --git a/Tools/msi/msi.py b/Tools/msi/msi.py
index 59ea9b56eb0..4748d7cdcb2 100644
--- a/Tools/msi/msi.py
+++ b/Tools/msi/msi.py
@@ -862,6 +862,7 @@ def generate_license():
     import shutil, glob
     out = open("LICENSE.txt", "w")
     shutil.copyfileobj(open(os.path.join(srcdir, "LICENSE")), out)
+    shutil.copyfileobj(open("crtlicense.txt"), out)
     for name, pat, file in (("bzip2","bzip2-*", "LICENSE"),
                       ("Berkeley DB", "db-*", "LICENSE"),
                       ("openssl", "openssl-*", "LICENSE"),