diff --git a/ANNOUNCE b/ANNOUNCE
index 1ed4800c..b2857dca 100644
--- a/ANNOUNCE
+++ b/ANNOUNCE
@@ -1,50 +1,46 @@
 
-Libpng 1.2.56rc01 - December 14, 2015
+Libpng 1.2.56 - December 17, 2015
 
-This is not intended to be a public release.  It will be replaced
-within a few weeks by a public version or by another test version.
+This is a public release of libpng, intended for use in production codes.
 
 Files available for download:
 
 Source files with LF line endings (for Unix/Linux) and with a
 "configure" script
 
-   libpng-1.2.56rc01.tar.xz (LZMA-compressed, recommended)
-   libpng-1.2.56rc01.tar.gz
+   libpng-1.2.56.tar.xz (LZMA-compressed, recommended)
+   libpng-1.2.56.tar.gz
 
 Source files with LF line endings (for Unix/Linux) without the
 "configure" script
 
-   libpng-1.2.56rc01-no-config.tar.xz (LZMA-compressed, recommended)
-   libpng-1.2.56rc01-no-config.tar.gz
+   libpng-1.2.56-no-config.tar.xz (LZMA-compressed, recommended)
+   libpng-1.2.56-no-config.tar.gz
 
 Source files with CRLF line endings (for Windows), without the
 "configure" script
 
-   lp1256r01.zip
-   lp1256r01.7z
+   lpng1256.zip
+   lpng1256.7z
 
 Project files
 
-   libpng-1.2.56rc01-project-netware.zip
-   libpng-1.2.56rc01-project-wince.zip
+   libpng-1.2.56-project-netware.zip
+   libpng-1.2.56-project-wince.zip
 
 Other information:
 
-   libpng-1.2.56rc01-README.txt
-   libpng-1.2.56rc01-KNOWNBUGS.txt
-   libpng-1.2.56rc01-LICENSE.txt
-   libpng-1.2.56rc01-Y2K-compliance.txt
-   libpng-1.2.56rc01-[previous version]-diff.txt
-   libpng-1.2.56rc01-*.asc (armored detached GPG signatures)
+   libpng-1.2.56-README.txt
+   libpng-1.2.56-KNOWNBUGS.txt
+   libpng-1.2.56-LICENSE.txt
+   libpng-1.2.56-Y2K-compliance.txt
+   libpng-1.2.56-[previous version]-diff.txt
+   libpng-1.2.56-*.asc (armored detached GPG signatures)
 
 Changes since the last public release (1.2.55):
 
-Version 1.2.56beta01 [December 11, 2015]
   Fixed an out-of-range read in png_check_keyword() (Bug report from
     Qixue Xiao, CVE-2015-8540).
-
-Version 1.2.56rc01 [December 14, 2015]
   Corrected copyright dates in source files.
   Moved png_check_keyword() from pngwutil.c to pngset.c
 
diff --git a/CHANGES b/CHANGES
index e6acccd8..b14e2753 100644
--- a/CHANGES
+++ b/CHANGES
@@ -2909,7 +2909,7 @@ version 1.2.55rc01 [November 26, 2015]
 version 1.2.55 and 1.0.65 [December 6, 2015]
   Discontinued distributing libpng-oldversion-newversion-diff.txt
 
-version 1.2.56beta01 [Deceuber 11, 2015]
+version 1.2.56beta01 [December 11, 2015]
   Fixed an out-of-range read in png_check_keyword() (Bug report from
     Qixue Xiao, CVE-2015-8540).
 
@@ -2917,6 +2917,9 @@ version 1.2.56rc01 [December 14, 2015]
   Corrected copyright dates in source files.
   Moved png_check_keyword() from pngwutil.c to pngset.c
 
+version 1.2.56 [December 17, 2015]
+  No changes.
+
 Send comments/corrections/commendations to png-mng-implement at lists.sf.net
 (subscription required; visit
 https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/png-mng-implement
diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 112c03aa..12c8fd2b 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ configure_file(${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/scripts/libpng-config.in
 # SET UP LINKS
 if(PNG_SHARED)
   set_target_properties(${PNG_LIB_NAME} PROPERTIES
-#   VERSION 0.${PNGLIB_RELEASE}.1.2.56rc01
+#   VERSION 0.${PNGLIB_RELEASE}.1.2.56
     VERSION 0.${PNGLIB_RELEASE}.0
     SOVERSION 0
     CLEAN_DIRECT_OUTPUT 1)
diff --git a/INSTALL b/INSTALL
index 0748e245..3a32c1f6 100644
--- a/INSTALL
+++ b/INSTALL
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
-Installing libpng version 1.2.56rc01 - December 14, 2015
+Installing libpng version 1.2.56 - December 17, 2015
 
 On Unix/Linux and similar systems, you can simply type
 
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ to have access to the zlib.h and zconf.h include files that
 correspond to the version of zlib that's installed.
 
 You can rename the directories that you downloaded (they
-might be called "libpng-1.2.56rc01" or "libpng12" and "zlib-1.2.3"
+might be called "libpng-1.2.56" or "libpng12" and "zlib-1.2.3"
 or "zlib123") so that you have directories called "zlib" and "libpng".
 
 Your directory structure should look like this:
diff --git a/KNOWNBUG b/KNOWNBUG
index d65b8b75..d702e6e4 100644
--- a/KNOWNBUG
+++ b/KNOWNBUG
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
-Known bugs in libpng version 1.2.56rc01
+Known bugs in libpng version 1.2.56
 
 1. February 23, 2006: The custom makefiles don't build libpng with -lz.
 
diff --git a/LICENSE b/LICENSE
index dd0d7768..3b1f3291 100644
--- a/LICENSE
+++ b/LICENSE
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ this sentence.
 
 This code is released under the libpng license.
 
-libpng versions 1.0.7, July 1, 2000, through 1.2.56rc01, December 14, 2015, are
+libpng versions 1.0.7, July 1, 2000, through 1.2.56, December 17, 2015, are
 Copyright (c) 2000-2002, 2004, 2006-2015 Glenn Randers-Pehrson, are
 derived from libpng-1.0.6, and are distributed according to the same
 disclaimer and license as libpng-1.0.6 with the following individuals
@@ -107,4 +107,4 @@ the additional disclaimers inserted at version 1.0.7.
 
 Glenn Randers-Pehrson
 glennrp at users.sourceforge.net
-December 14, 2015
+December 17, 2015
diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index c4ccff3d..be034c51 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ EXTRA_DIST= \
 	${srcdir}/contrib/pngsuite/* \
 	${srcdir}/contrib/visupng/* \
 	$(TESTS) \
-	example.c libpng-1.2.56rc01.txt pnggccrd.c pngvcrd.c
+	example.c libpng-1.2.56.txt pnggccrd.c pngvcrd.c
 
 CLEANFILES= pngout.png libpng12.pc libpng12-config libpng.vers \
 libpng.sym
diff --git a/Makefile.in b/Makefile.in
index 0f088ad0..5d05c248 100644
--- a/Makefile.in
+++ b/Makefile.in
@@ -647,7 +647,7 @@ EXTRA_DIST = \
 	${srcdir}/contrib/pngsuite/* \
 	${srcdir}/contrib/visupng/* \
 	$(TESTS) \
-	example.c libpng-1.2.56rc01.txt pnggccrd.c pngvcrd.c
+	example.c libpng-1.2.56.txt pnggccrd.c pngvcrd.c
 
 CLEANFILES = pngout.png libpng12.pc libpng12-config libpng.vers \
 libpng.sym
diff --git a/README b/README
index d786b16b..4f5d4872 100644
--- a/README
+++ b/README
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-README for libpng version 1.2.56rc01 - December 14, 2015 (shared library 12.0)
+README for libpng version 1.2.56 - December 17, 2015 (shared library 12.0)
 See the note about version numbers near the top of png.h
 
 See INSTALL for instructions on how to install libpng.
@@ -207,11 +207,11 @@ Files in this distribution:
        makefile.std     =>  Generic UNIX makefile (cc, creates static
                             libpng.a)
        makefile.elf     =>  Linux/ELF gcc makefile symbol versioning,
-                            creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56rc01)
+                            creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56)
        makefile.linux   =>  Linux/ELF makefile (gcc, creates
-                            libpng12.so.0.1.2.56rc01)
+                            libpng12.so.0.1.2.56)
        makefile.gcmmx   =>  Linux/ELF makefile (gcc, creates
-                            libpng12.so.0.1.2.56rc01, previously
+                            libpng12.so.0.1.2.56, previously
                             used assembler code tuned for Intel MMX
                             platform)
        makefile.gcc     =>  Generic makefile (gcc, creates static
@@ -236,12 +236,12 @@ Files in this distribution:
        makefile.openbsd =>  OpenBSD makefile
        makefile.sgi     =>  Silicon Graphics IRIX (cc, creates static lib)
        makefile.sggcc   =>  Silicon Graphics
-                            (gcc, creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56rc01)
+                            (gcc, creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56)
        makefile.sunos   =>  Sun makefile
        makefile.solaris =>  Solaris 2.X makefile
-                            (gcc, creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56rc01)
+                            (gcc, creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56)
        makefile.so9     =>  Solaris 9 makefile
-                            (gcc, creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56rc01)
+                            (gcc, creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56)
        makefile.32sunu  =>  Sun Ultra 32-bit makefile
        makefile.64sunu  =>  Sun Ultra 64-bit makefile
        makefile.sco     =>  For SCO OSr5  ELF and Unixware 7 with Native cc
diff --git a/Y2KINFO b/Y2KINFO
index cc6b63b0..590858b9 100644
--- a/Y2KINFO
+++ b/Y2KINFO
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
    Y2K compliance in libpng:
    =========================
 
-      December 14, 2015
+      December 17, 2015
 
       Since the PNG Development group is an ad-hoc body, we can't make
       an official declaration.
 
       This is your unofficial assurance that libpng from version 0.71 and
-      upward through 1.2.56rc01 are Y2K compliant.  It is my belief that earlier
+      upward through 1.2.56 are Y2K compliant.  It is my belief that earlier
       versions were also Y2K compliant.
 
       Libpng only has three year fields.  One is a 2-byte unsigned integer
diff --git a/configure b/configure
index 46d8a293..6edadc6e 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #! /bin/sh
 # Guess values for system-dependent variables and create Makefiles.
-# Generated by GNU Autoconf 2.69 for libpng 1.2.56rc01.
+# Generated by GNU Autoconf 2.69 for libpng 1.2.56.
 #
 # Report bugs to <png-mng-implement@lists.sourceforge.net>.
 #
@@ -590,8 +590,8 @@ MAKEFLAGS=
 # Identity of this package.
 PACKAGE_NAME='libpng'
 PACKAGE_TARNAME='libpng'
-PACKAGE_VERSION='1.2.56rc01'
-PACKAGE_STRING='libpng 1.2.56rc01'
+PACKAGE_VERSION='1.2.56'
+PACKAGE_STRING='libpng 1.2.56'
 PACKAGE_BUGREPORT='png-mng-implement@lists.sourceforge.net'
 PACKAGE_URL=''
 
@@ -1334,7 +1334,7 @@ if test "$ac_init_help" = "long"; then
   # Omit some internal or obsolete options to make the list less imposing.
   # This message is too long to be a string in the A/UX 3.1 sh.
   cat <<_ACEOF
-\`configure' configures libpng 1.2.56rc01 to adapt to many kinds of systems.
+\`configure' configures libpng 1.2.56 to adapt to many kinds of systems.
 
 Usage: $0 [OPTION]... [VAR=VALUE]...
 
@@ -1404,7 +1404,7 @@ fi
 
 if test -n "$ac_init_help"; then
   case $ac_init_help in
-     short | recursive ) echo "Configuration of libpng 1.2.56rc01:";;
+     short | recursive ) echo "Configuration of libpng 1.2.56:";;
    esac
   cat <<\_ACEOF
 
@@ -1523,7 +1523,7 @@ fi
 test -n "$ac_init_help" && exit $ac_status
 if $ac_init_version; then
   cat <<\_ACEOF
-libpng configure 1.2.56rc01
+libpng configure 1.2.56
 generated by GNU Autoconf 2.69
 
 Copyright (C) 2012 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
@@ -1946,7 +1946,7 @@ cat >config.log <<_ACEOF
 This file contains any messages produced by compilers while
 running configure, to aid debugging if configure makes a mistake.
 
-It was created by libpng $as_me 1.2.56rc01, which was
+It was created by libpng $as_me 1.2.56, which was
 generated by GNU Autoconf 2.69.  Invocation command line was
 
   $ $0 $@
@@ -2809,7 +2809,7 @@ fi
 
 # Define the identity of the package.
  PACKAGE='libpng'
- VERSION='1.2.56rc01'
+ VERSION='1.2.56'
 
 
 cat >>confdefs.h <<_ACEOF
@@ -2926,7 +2926,7 @@ fi
 
 
 
-PNGLIB_VERSION=1.2.56rc01
+PNGLIB_VERSION=1.2.56
 PNGLIB_MAJOR=1
 PNGLIB_MINOR=2
 PNGLIB_RELEASE=56
@@ -13619,7 +13619,7 @@ cat >>$CONFIG_STATUS <<\_ACEOF || ac_write_fail=1
 # report actual input values of CONFIG_FILES etc. instead of their
 # values after options handling.
 ac_log="
-This file was extended by libpng $as_me 1.2.56rc01, which was
+This file was extended by libpng $as_me 1.2.56, which was
 generated by GNU Autoconf 2.69.  Invocation command line was
 
   CONFIG_FILES    = $CONFIG_FILES
@@ -13685,7 +13685,7 @@ _ACEOF
 cat >>$CONFIG_STATUS <<_ACEOF || ac_write_fail=1
 ac_cs_config="`$as_echo "$ac_configure_args" | sed 's/^ //; s/[\\""\`\$]/\\\\&/g'`"
 ac_cs_version="\\
-libpng config.status 1.2.56rc01
+libpng config.status 1.2.56
 configured by $0, generated by GNU Autoconf 2.69,
   with options \\"\$ac_cs_config\\"
 
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 0100b01b..edfd0202 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -18,12 +18,12 @@ AC_PREREQ(2.59)
 
 dnl Version number stuff here:
 
-AC_INIT([libpng], [1.2.56rc01], [png-mng-implement@lists.sourceforge.net])
+AC_INIT([libpng], [1.2.56], [png-mng-implement@lists.sourceforge.net])
 AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE
 dnl stop configure from automagically running automake
 AM_MAINTAINER_MODE
 
-PNGLIB_VERSION=1.2.56rc01
+PNGLIB_VERSION=1.2.56
 PNGLIB_MAJOR=1
 PNGLIB_MINOR=2
 PNGLIB_RELEASE=56
diff --git a/libpng-1.2.56rc01.txt b/libpng-1.2.56.txt
similarity index 99%
rename from libpng-1.2.56rc01.txt
rename to libpng-1.2.56.txt
index b0c3f11c..2794b7e7 100644
--- a/libpng-1.2.56rc01.txt
+++ b/libpng-1.2.56.txt
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 libpng.txt - A description on how to use and modify libpng
 
- libpng version 1.2.56rc01 - December 14, 2015
+ libpng version 1.2.56 - December 17, 2015
  Updated and distributed by Glenn Randers-Pehrson
  <glennrp at users.sourceforge.net>
  Copyright (c) 1998-2014 Glenn Randers-Pehrson
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ libpng.txt - A description on how to use and modify libpng
 
  Based on:
 
- libpng versions 0.97, January 1998, through 1.2.56rc01 - December 14, 2015
+ libpng versions 0.97, January 1998, through 1.2.56 - December 17, 2015
  Updated and distributed by Glenn Randers-Pehrson
  Copyright (c) 1998-2014 Glenn Randers-Pehrson
 
@@ -879,7 +879,7 @@ things.
 As of libpng version 1.2.9, png_set_expand_gray_1_2_4_to_8() was
 added.  It expands the sample depth without changing tRNS to alpha.
 
-As of libpng version 1.2.56rc01, not all possible expansions are supported.
+As of libpng version 1.2.56, not all possible expansions are supported.
 
 In the following table, the 01 means grayscale with depth<8, 31 means
 indexed with depth<8, other numerals represent the color type, "T" means
@@ -3162,7 +3162,7 @@ Since the PNG Development group is an ad-hoc body, we can't make
 an official declaration.
 
 This is your unofficial assurance that libpng from version 0.71 and
-upward through 1.2.56rc01 are Y2K compliant.  It is my belief that earlier
+upward through 1.2.56 are Y2K compliant.  It is my belief that earlier
 versions were also Y2K compliant.
 
 Libpng only has three year fields.  One is a 2-byte unsigned integer that
diff --git a/libpng.3 b/libpng.3
index dc58c719..1b286985 100644
--- a/libpng.3
+++ b/libpng.3
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-.TH LIBPNG 3 "December 14, 2015"
+.TH LIBPNG 3 "December 17, 2015"
 .SH NAME
-libpng \- Portable Network Graphics (PNG) Reference Library 1.2.56rc01
+libpng \- Portable Network Graphics (PNG) Reference Library 1.2.56
 .SH SYNOPSIS
 \fB
 #include <png.h>\fP
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ Following is a copy of the libpng.txt file that accompanies libpng.
 .SH LIBPNG.TXT
 libpng.txt - A description on how to use and modify libpng
 
- libpng version 1.2.56rc01 - December 14, 2015
+ libpng version 1.2.56 - December 17, 2015
  Updated and distributed by Glenn Randers-Pehrson
  <glennrp at users.sourceforge.net>
  Copyright (c) 1998-2014 Glenn Randers-Pehrson
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ libpng.txt - A description on how to use and modify libpng
 
  Based on:
 
- libpng versions 0.97, January 1998, through 1.2.56rc01 - December 14, 2015
+ libpng versions 0.97, January 1998, through 1.2.56 - December 17, 2015
  Updated and distributed by Glenn Randers-Pehrson
  Copyright (c) 1998-2014 Glenn Randers-Pehrson
 
@@ -1289,7 +1289,7 @@ things.
 As of libpng version 1.2.9, png_set_expand_gray_1_2_4_to_8() was
 added.  It expands the sample depth without changing tRNS to alpha.
 
-As of libpng version 1.2.56rc01, not all possible expansions are supported.
+As of libpng version 1.2.56, not all possible expansions are supported.
 
 In the following table, the 01 means grayscale with depth<8, 31 means
 indexed with depth<8, other numerals represent the color type, "T" means
@@ -3572,7 +3572,7 @@ Since the PNG Development group is an ad-hoc body, we can't make
 an official declaration.
 
 This is your unofficial assurance that libpng from version 0.71 and
-upward through 1.2.56rc01 are Y2K compliant.  It is my belief that earlier
+upward through 1.2.56 are Y2K compliant.  It is my belief that earlier
 versions were also Y2K compliant.
 
 Libpng only has three year fields.  One is a 2-byte unsigned integer that
@@ -3726,7 +3726,7 @@ possible without all of you.
 
 Thanks to Frank J. T. Wojcik for helping with the documentation.
 
-Libpng version 1.2.56rc01 - December 14, 2015:
+Libpng version 1.2.56 - December 17, 2015:
 Initially created in 1995 by Guy Eric Schalnat, then of Group 42, Inc.
 Currently maintained by Glenn Randers-Pehrson (glennrp at users.sourceforge.net).
 
@@ -3751,7 +3751,7 @@ this sentence.
 
 This code is released under the libpng license.
 
-libpng versions 1.0.7, July 1, 2000, through 1.2.56rc01, December 14, 2015, are
+libpng versions 1.0.7, July 1, 2000, through 1.2.56, December 17, 2015, are
 Copyright (c) 2000-2002, 2004, 2006-2015 Glenn Randers-Pehrson, are
 derived from libpng-1.0.6, and are distributed according to the same
 disclaimer and license as libpng-1.0.6 with the following individuals
@@ -3848,7 +3848,7 @@ the additional disclaimers inserted at version 1.0.7.
 
 Glenn Randers-Pehrson
 glennrp at users.sourceforge.net
-December 14, 2015
+December 17, 2015
 
 .\" end of man page
 
diff --git a/libpngpf.3 b/libpngpf.3
index bf6819a1..85f04269 100644
--- a/libpngpf.3
+++ b/libpngpf.3
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-.TH LIBPNGPF 3 "December 14, 2015"
+.TH LIBPNGPF 3 "December 17, 2015"
 .SH NAME
-libpng \- Portable Network Graphics (PNG) Reference Library 1.2.56rc01
+libpng \- Portable Network Graphics (PNG) Reference Library 1.2.56
 (private functions)
 .SH SYNOPSIS
 \fB#include <png.h>\fP
diff --git a/png.5 b/png.5
index babbe48d..a783bbdd 100644
--- a/png.5
+++ b/png.5
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-.TH PNG 5 "December 14, 2015"
+.TH PNG 5 "December 17, 2015"
 .SH NAME
 png \- Portable Network Graphics (PNG) format
 .SH DESCRIPTION
diff --git a/png.c b/png.c
index c93a9d81..67b78815 100644
--- a/png.c
+++ b/png.c
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 #include "png.h"
 
 /* Generate a compiler error if there is an old png.h in the search path. */
-typedef version_1_2_56rc01 Your_png_h_is_not_version_1_2_56rc01;
+typedef version_1_2_56 Your_png_h_is_not_version_1_2_56;
 
 /* Version information for C files.  This had better match the version
  * string defined in png.h.
@@ -731,14 +731,14 @@ png_get_copyright(png_structp png_ptr)
 #else
 #ifdef __STDC__
    return ((png_charp) PNG_STRING_NEWLINE \
-     "libpng version 1.2.56rc01 - December 14, 2015" PNG_STRING_NEWLINE \
+     "libpng version 1.2.56 - December 17, 2015" PNG_STRING_NEWLINE \
      "Copyright (c) 1998-2002,2004,2006-2015 Glenn Randers-Pehrson" \
      PNG_STRING_NEWLINE \
      "Copyright (c) 1996-1997 Andreas Dilger" PNG_STRING_NEWLINE \
      "Copyright (c) 1995-1996 Guy Eric Schalnat, Group 42, Inc." \
      PNG_STRING_NEWLINE);
 #else
-   return ((png_charp) "libpng version 1.2.56rc01 - December 14, 2015\
+   return ((png_charp) "libpng version 1.2.56 - December 17, 2015\
       Copyright (c) 1998-2002,2004,2006-2015 Glenn Randers-Pehrson\
       Copyright (c) 1996-1997 Andreas Dilger\
       Copyright (c) 1995-1996 Guy Eric Schalnat, Group 42, Inc.");
diff --git a/png.h b/png.h
index 4f9192d2..f52416f3 100644
--- a/png.h
+++ b/png.h
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 
 /* png.h - header file for PNG reference library
  *
- * libpng version 1.2.56rc01, December 14, 2015
+ * libpng version 1.2.56, December 17, 2015
  *
  * Copyright (c) 1998-2015 Glenn Randers-Pehrson
  * (Version 0.96 Copyright (c) 1996, 1997 Andreas Dilger)
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
  * Authors and maintainers:
  *  libpng versions 0.71, May 1995, through 0.88, January 1996: Guy Schalnat
  *  libpng versions 0.89, June 1996, through 0.96, May 1997: Andreas Dilger
- *  libpng versions 0.97, January 1998, through 1.2.56rc01, December 14, 2015: Glenn
+ *  libpng versions 0.97, January 1998, through 1.2.56, December 17, 2015: Glenn
  *  See also "Contributing Authors", below.
  */
 
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
  *
  * This code is released under the libpng license.
  *
- * libpng versions 1.0.7, July 1, 2000, through 1.2.56rc01, December 14, 2015, are
+ * libpng versions 1.0.7, July 1, 2000, through 1.2.56, December 17, 2015, are
  * Copyright (c) 2000-2002, 2004, 2006-2015 Glenn Randers-Pehrson, are
  * derived from libpng-1.0.6, and are distributed according to the same
  * disclaimer and license as libpng-1.0.6 with the following individuals
@@ -208,13 +208,13 @@
  * Y2K compliance in libpng:
  * =========================
  *
- *    December 14, 2015
+ *    December 17, 2015
  *
  *    Since the PNG Development group is an ad-hoc body, we can't make
  *    an official declaration.
  *
  *    This is your unofficial assurance that libpng from version 0.71 and
- *    upward through 1.2.56rc01 are Y2K compliant.  It is my belief that earlier
+ *    upward through 1.2.56 are Y2K compliant.  It is my belief that earlier
  *    versions were also Y2K compliant.
  *
  *    Libpng only has three year fields.  One is a 2-byte unsigned integer
@@ -270,9 +270,9 @@
  */
 
 /* Version information for png.h - this should match the version in png.c */
-#define PNG_LIBPNG_VER_STRING "1.2.56rc01"
+#define PNG_LIBPNG_VER_STRING "1.2.56"
 #define PNG_HEADER_VERSION_STRING \
-   " libpng version 1.2.56rc01 - December 14, 2015\n"
+   " libpng version 1.2.56 - December 17, 2015\n"
 
 #define PNG_LIBPNG_VER_SONUM   0
 #define PNG_LIBPNG_VER_DLLNUM  13
@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@
  * PNG_LIBPNG_VER_STRING, omitting any leading zero:
  */
 
-#define PNG_LIBPNG_VER_BUILD  01
+#define PNG_LIBPNG_VER_BUILD  0
 
 /* Release Status */
 #define PNG_LIBPNG_BUILD_ALPHA    1
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@
 #define PNG_LIBPNG_BUILD_SPECIAL 32 /* Cannot be OR'ed with
                                        PNG_LIBPNG_BUILD_PRIVATE */
 
-#define PNG_LIBPNG_BUILD_BASE_TYPE PNG_LIBPNG_BUILD_RC
+#define PNG_LIBPNG_BUILD_BASE_TYPE PNG_LIBPNG_BUILD_STABLE
 
 /* Careful here.  At one time, Guy wanted to use 082, but that would be octal.
  * We must not include leading zeros.
@@ -1340,7 +1340,7 @@ struct png_struct_def
 /* This triggers a compiler error in png.c, if png.c and png.h
  * do not agree upon the version number.
  */
-typedef png_structp version_1_2_56rc01;
+typedef png_structp version_1_2_56;
 
 typedef png_struct FAR * FAR * png_structpp;
 
diff --git a/pngconf.h b/pngconf.h
index 0dbb91c8..e70816c2 100644
--- a/pngconf.h
+++ b/pngconf.h
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 
 /* pngconf.h - machine configurable file for libpng
  *
- * libpng version 1.2.56rc01, December 14, 2015
+ * libpng version 1.2.56, December 17, 2015
  *
  * Copyright (c) 1998-2015 Glenn Randers-Pehrson
  * (Version 0.96 Copyright (c) 1996, 1997 Andreas Dilger)
diff --git a/pngtest.c b/pngtest.c
index b473ac9c..31bfc4c7 100644
--- a/pngtest.c
+++ b/pngtest.c
@@ -1731,4 +1731,4 @@ main(int argc, char *argv[])
 }
 
 /* Generate a compiler error if there is an old png.h in the search path. */
-typedef version_1_2_56rc01 your_png_h_is_not_version_1_2_56rc01;
+typedef version_1_2_56 your_png_h_is_not_version_1_2_56;
diff --git a/projects/wince.txt b/projects/wince.txt
index baaca068..d12c583b 100644
--- a/projects/wince.txt
+++ b/projects/wince.txt
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 A set of project files is available for WinCE.  Get
-libpng-1.2.56rc01-project-wince.zip from a libpng distribution
+libpng-1.2.56-project-wince.zip from a libpng distribution
 site such as http://libpng.sourceforge.net/index.html
 
 Put the zip file in this directory (projects) and then run
-"unzip -a libpng-1.2.56rc01-project-wince.zip"
+"unzip -a libpng-1.2.56-project-wince.zip"
diff --git a/projects/xcode/libpng.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj b/projects/xcode/libpng.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
index 477bf42e..899f2adc 100644
--- a/projects/xcode/libpng.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
+++ b/projects/xcode/libpng.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@
 				COPY_PHASE_STRIP = NO;
 				DYLIB_COMPATIBILITY_VERSION = 3;
 				DYLIB_CURRENT_VERSION = 3;
-				FRAMEWORK_VERSION = 1.2.56rc01;
+				FRAMEWORK_VERSION = 1.2.56;
 				GCC_PRECOMPILE_PREFIX_HEADER = NO;
 				GCC_PREFIX_HEADER = "";
 				INFOPLIST_FILE = Info.plist;
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@
 			buildSettings = {
 				DYLIB_COMPATIBILITY_VERSION = 3;
 				DYLIB_CURRENT_VERSION = 3;
-				FRAMEWORK_VERSION = 1.2.56rc01;
+				FRAMEWORK_VERSION = 1.2.56;
 				GCC_PRECOMPILE_PREFIX_HEADER = NO;
 				GCC_PREFIX_HEADER = "";
 				INFOPLIST_FILE = Info.plist;
diff --git a/scripts/README.txt b/scripts/README.txt
index 466e660e..1e0fb748 100644
--- a/scripts/README.txt
+++ b/scripts/README.txt
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 
-Makefiles for  libpng version 1.2.56rc01 - December 14, 2015
+Makefiles for  libpng version 1.2.56 - December 17, 2015
 
  makefile.linux    =>  Linux/ELF makefile
-                       (gcc, creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56rc01)
+                       (gcc, creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56)
  makefile.gcc      =>  Generic makefile (gcc, creates static libpng.a)
  makefile.knr      =>  Archaic UNIX Makefile that converts files with
                        ansi2knr (Requires ansi2knr.c from
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ Makefiles for  libpng version 1.2.56rc01 - December 14, 2015
  makefile.dec      =>  DEC Alpha UNIX makefile
  makefile.dj2      =>  DJGPP 2 makefile
  makefile.elf      =>  Linux/ELF makefile symbol versioning,
-                       gcc, creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56rc01)
+                       gcc, creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56)
  makefile.freebsd  =>  FreeBSD makefile
  makefile.gcc      =>  Generic gcc makefile
  makefile.gccmmx   =>  Generic gcc makefile previously using MMX code
@@ -38,14 +38,14 @@ Makefiles for  libpng version 1.2.56rc01 - December 14, 2015
  makefile.os2      =>  OS/2 Makefile (gcc and emx, requires pngos2.def)
  makefile.sco      =>  For SCO OSr5  ELF and Unixware 7 with Native cc
  makefile.sggcc    =>  Silicon Graphics (gcc,
-                       creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56rc01)
+                       creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56)
  makefile.sgi      =>  Silicon Graphics IRIX makefile (cc, creates static lib)
  makefile.solaris  =>  Solaris 2.X makefile (gcc,
-                       creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56rc01)
+                       creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56)
  makefile.solaris-x86  =>  Solaris 2.X makefile (gcc, no MMX code,
-                       creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56rc01)
+                       creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56)
  makefile.so9      =>  Solaris 9 makefile (gcc,
-                       creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56rc01)
+                       creates libpng12.so.0.1.2.56)
  makefile.std      =>  Generic UNIX makefile (cc, creates static libpng.a)
  makefile.sunos    =>  Sun makefile
  makefile.32sunu   =>  Sun Ultra 32-bit makefile
diff --git a/scripts/libpng-config-head.in b/scripts/libpng-config-head.in
index 18b8edcb..e9339e1b 100755
--- a/scripts/libpng-config-head.in
+++ b/scripts/libpng-config-head.in
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
 # Modeled after libxml-config.
 
-version=1.2.56rc01
+version=1.2.56
 prefix=""
 libdir=""
 libs=""
diff --git a/scripts/libpng.pc.in b/scripts/libpng.pc.in
index ad0a9adc..83fe6a60 100644
--- a/scripts/libpng.pc.in
+++ b/scripts/libpng.pc.in
@@ -5,6 +5,6 @@ includedir=@includedir@/libpng12
 
 Name: libpng
 Description: Loads and saves PNG files
-Version: 1.2.56rc01
+Version: 1.2.56
 Libs: -L${libdir} -lpng12
 Cflags: -I${includedir}
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.32sunu b/scripts/makefile.32sunu
index b3042175..d2aa4492 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.32sunu
+++ b/scripts/makefile.32sunu
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 # Library name:
 LIBNAME=libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 # Shared library names:
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.64sunu b/scripts/makefile.64sunu
index 7913f878..fae56a74 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.64sunu
+++ b/scripts/makefile.64sunu
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 # Library name:
 LIBNAME=libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 # Shared library names:
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.aix b/scripts/makefile.aix
index 77601a94..d85eb343 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.aix
+++ b/scripts/makefile.aix
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ LN_SF = ln -f -s
 
 LIBNAME=libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 prefix=/usr/local
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.beos b/scripts/makefile.beos
index a189a0b2..82b3b278 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.beos
+++ b/scripts/makefile.beos
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 # Library name:
 LIBNAME=libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 # Shared library names:
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.cygwin b/scripts/makefile.cygwin
index 4cd87f0b..da0d4cba 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.cygwin
+++ b/scripts/makefile.cygwin
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ CFLAGS= $(strip $(MINGW_CCFLAGS) $(addprefix -I,$(ZLIBINC)) \
 LIBNAME = libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
 CYGDLL = 12
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 SHAREDLIB=cygpng$(CYGDLL).dll
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.darwin b/scripts/makefile.darwin
index 96ab3fb9..d8eb2ad4 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.darwin
+++ b/scripts/makefile.darwin
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ ZLIBINC=../zlib
 # Library name:
 LIBNAME = libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 12
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 # Shared library names:
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.dec b/scripts/makefile.dec
index c4ede210..6e9ffbcd 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.dec
+++ b/scripts/makefile.dec
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 # Library name:
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 LIBNAME = libpng12
 
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.elf b/scripts/makefile.elf
index 70501b31..64de50f8 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.elf
+++ b/scripts/makefile.elf
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 # Library name:
 LIBNAME = libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 # Shared library names:
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.gcmmx b/scripts/makefile.gcmmx
index 7fb402c9..34e1586c 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.gcmmx
+++ b/scripts/makefile.gcmmx
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 # Library name:
 LIBNAME = libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 # Shared library names:
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.hp64 b/scripts/makefile.hp64
index e0e341e0..3143fa54 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.hp64
+++ b/scripts/makefile.hp64
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ ZLIBINC=/opt/zlib/include
 # Library name:
 LIBNAME = libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 # Shared library names:
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.hpgcc b/scripts/makefile.hpgcc
index 9d0b3f61..5733f283 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.hpgcc
+++ b/scripts/makefile.hpgcc
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 # Library name:
 LIBNAME = libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 # Shared library names:
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.hpux b/scripts/makefile.hpux
index 3b7eb7fb..39e94e4d 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.hpux
+++ b/scripts/makefile.hpux
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ ZLIBINC=/opt/zlib/include
 # Library name:
 LIBNAME = libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 # Shared library names:
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.linux b/scripts/makefile.linux
index 9fcf22dd..9cfdbd8b 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.linux
+++ b/scripts/makefile.linux
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 # Library name:
 LIBNAME = libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 # Shared library names:
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.mingw b/scripts/makefile.mingw
index fec98c7b..615f30b1 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.mingw
+++ b/scripts/makefile.mingw
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ CFLAGS= $(strip $(MINGW_CCFLAGS) $(addprefix -I,$(ZLIBINC)) \
 LIBNAME = libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
 MINGDLL = 12
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 SHAREDLIB=libpng$(MINGDLL).dll
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.ne12bsd b/scripts/makefile.ne12bsd
index 5264b52d..1fba4ac5 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.ne12bsd
+++ b/scripts/makefile.ne12bsd
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ INCSDIR=${LOCALBASE}/include/libpng12
 
 LIB=	png12
 SHLIB_MAJOR=	0
-SHLIB_MINOR=	1.2.56rc01
+SHLIB_MINOR=	1.2.56
 SRCS=	png.c pngset.c pngget.c pngrutil.c pngtrans.c pngwutil.c \
 	pngread.c pngrio.c pngwio.c pngwrite.c pngrtran.c \
 	pngwtran.c pngmem.c pngerror.c pngpread.c
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.netbsd b/scripts/makefile.netbsd
index 598872b6..d1291bb8 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.netbsd
+++ b/scripts/makefile.netbsd
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ INCSDIR=${LOCALBASE}/include
 
 LIB=	png
 SHLIB_MAJOR=	3
-SHLIB_MINOR=	1.2.56rc01
+SHLIB_MINOR=	1.2.56
 SRCS=	png.c pngset.c pngget.c pngrutil.c pngtrans.c pngwutil.c \
 	pngread.c pngrio.c pngwio.c pngwrite.c pngrtran.c \
 	pngwtran.c pngmem.c pngerror.c pngpread.c
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.nommx b/scripts/makefile.nommx
index 453a2f03..189eecf5 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.nommx
+++ b/scripts/makefile.nommx
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 # Library name:
 LIBNAME = libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 # Shared library names:
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.openbsd b/scripts/makefile.openbsd
index dbf4ba9e..75f89897 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.openbsd
+++ b/scripts/makefile.openbsd
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ LIBDIR=	${PREFIX}/lib
 MANDIR= ${PREFIX}/man/cat
 
 SHLIB_MAJOR=	0
-SHLIB_MINOR=	1.2.56rc01
+SHLIB_MINOR=	1.2.56
 
 LIB=	png
 SRCS=	png.c pngerror.c pngget.c pngmem.c pngpread.c \
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.sco b/scripts/makefile.sco
index d3a622c2..dfac4412 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.sco
+++ b/scripts/makefile.sco
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 # Library name:
 LIBNAME = libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 # Shared library names:
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.sggcc b/scripts/makefile.sggcc
index ec6247fd..150c18a3 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.sggcc
+++ b/scripts/makefile.sggcc
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 # Library name:
 LIBNAME=libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 # Shared library names:
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.sgi b/scripts/makefile.sgi
index 30a221b8..736b511e 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.sgi
+++ b/scripts/makefile.sgi
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 # Library name:
 LIBNAME=libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 # Shared library names:
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.so9 b/scripts/makefile.so9
index bf3db8d9..5ec850ab 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.so9
+++ b/scripts/makefile.so9
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
 # Library name:
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 LIBNAME = libpng12
 
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.solaris b/scripts/makefile.solaris
index 65e2bd35..a64e3a8c 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.solaris
+++ b/scripts/makefile.solaris
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 # Library name:
 LIBNAME = libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 # Shared library names:
diff --git a/scripts/makefile.solaris-x86 b/scripts/makefile.solaris-x86
index 32b99c24..bad6f5cb 100644
--- a/scripts/makefile.solaris-x86
+++ b/scripts/makefile.solaris-x86
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 # Library name:
 LIBNAME = libpng12
 PNGMAJ = 0
-PNGMIN = 1.2.56rc01
+PNGMIN = 1.2.56
 PNGVER = $(PNGMAJ).$(PNGMIN)
 
 # Shared library names:
diff --git a/scripts/png32ce.def b/scripts/png32ce.def
index ca3eb596..a1732e49 100644
--- a/scripts/png32ce.def
+++ b/scripts/png32ce.def
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 LIBRARY lpngce
 
 EXPORTS
-;Version 1.2.56rc01
+;Version 1.2.56
   png_build_grayscale_palette  @1
   png_check_sig        @2
   png_chunk_error      @3
diff --git a/scripts/pngos2.def b/scripts/pngos2.def
index fcc94c2f..8b61977c 100644
--- a/scripts/pngos2.def
+++ b/scripts/pngos2.def
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 ; PNG.LIB module definition file for OS/2
 ;----------------------------------------
 
-; Version 1.2.56rc01
+; Version 1.2.56
 
 LIBRARY		PNG
 DESCRIPTION	"PNG image compression library for OS/2"
diff --git a/scripts/pngw32.def b/scripts/pngw32.def
index 4171ff8a..490654d9 100644
--- a/scripts/pngw32.def
+++ b/scripts/pngw32.def
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 LIBRARY
 
 EXPORTS
-;Version 1.2.56rc01
+;Version 1.2.56
   png_build_grayscale_palette  @1
   png_check_sig        @2
   png_chunk_error      @3