diff --git a/build.xml b/build.xml
index b53435201..bc852a9bd 100644
--- a/build.xml
+++ b/build.xml
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ limitations under the License.
 	        	 version="true"
 	        	 doctitle="<h1>${component.title}</h1>"
 	        	 windowtitle="${component.title} (Version ${component.version})"
-	        	 bottom="Copyright © 2001-2003 - Apache Software Foundation"
+	        	 bottom="Copyright © 2001-${copyright.end} - Apache Software Foundation"
 	        	 use="true"
 	        	 link="${jdk.javadoc}"
                  source="${compile.source}">
diff --git a/default.properties b/default.properties
index 668e9c45c..d29c290fb 100644
--- a/default.properties
+++ b/default.properties
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ component.title = Core Language Utilities
 # The current version number of this component
 component.version = 2.0
 
+# The current year used for the end date in copyrights.
+copyright.end = 2005
+
 # The name that is used to create the jar file
 final.name = ${component.name}-${component.version}