Legal Definitions - telecopier

A telecopier, more commonly known today as a fax machine (short for "facsimile"), is a device used to transmit copies of documents over a telephone network. It operates by scanning a physical document, converting its image into electronic signals, and then sending these signals to another telecopier. The receiving machine then reconstructs these signals to print an exact replica of the original document.

Here are some examples illustrating the use of a telecopier:

• Business Contract: A sales manager for a manufacturing company needs to send a signed agreement for a large order to a client located in a different state to finalize the deal before a critical deadline. Instead of mailing the physical document, the manager uses a telecopier to transmit the signed contract directly to the client's office, ensuring they receive an immediate paper copy for their records and to initiate production.

  This illustrates a telecopier's use for rapid transmission of important legal or business documents, providing an instant hard copy at the receiving end.

• Medical Records Transfer: A patient is being transferred from a local clinic to a specialized hospital for urgent treatment. The clinic's administrative staff uses a telecopier to send the patient's complete medical history, including diagnostic reports and medication lists, directly to the hospital's admissions department. This allows the hospital staff to quickly access critical information needed for immediate care without delay.

  This example demonstrates how a telecopier facilitates the quick and secure transfer of sensitive information between healthcare providers, ensuring continuity of care.

• Legal Filing to Court: A lawyer needs to submit an emergency motion to a court by the close of business, but the courthouse is physically distant. Many courts accept certain filings via fax. The lawyer's paralegal uses the firm's telecopier to send the signed motion directly to the court clerk's designated fax number, ensuring the document is officially received and time-stamped within the required timeframe.

  This highlights the telecopier's role in legal practice for timely submission of documents to courts or other legal entities, often when physical delivery is impractical or impossible within a deadline.