Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A copy is a duplicate or imitation of something else. It can be a reproduction of an original work, like a painting or a book. In legal terms, a copy must be a physical object that can be seen or touched. Copies can be used as evidence in court to prove what was written in a document. In some cases, a copy can be used instead of the original.
A copy is an imitation or reproduction of an original. It can be a duplicate of a physical object or a digital file. In legal contexts, the term "copy" has specific meanings:
In copyright law, a copy must be a tangible material object on which the work is "fixed." This means that the work must be stored in a physical form that can be perceived by an observer. For example, a printed book or a recorded song is a copy of the original work. However, the fact that an infringing copy may be produced in a different medium than the original work does not prevent it from being considered a copy. For instance, a digital copy of a book is still a copy of the original work.
In the law of evidence, a copy is admissible to prove the contents of a writing. This means that a duplicate of a document, such as a photocopy or a digital scan, can be used as evidence in court to show what the original document said. However, the authenticity of the original document may be questioned, in which case the duplicate may not be admissible as evidence.
If you make a photocopy of a contract, the photocopy is a copy of the original contract. If you are in court and want to prove what the contract said, you can use the photocopy as evidence to show the terms of the agreement. However, if the other party claims that the photocopy is not an accurate representation of the original contract, the judge may not allow the photocopy to be used as evidence.