Rule 1001 provides definitions of originals and duplicates. Which statement best describes a duplicate?

• A. An exact copy that is treated as the original
• B. The Original Document
• C. A Copy of the Original That Is Not the Original Itself
• D. A Paraphrased Version

Answer: (C)

Rule 1001 defines what counts as an original versus a duplicate. A duplicate is a copy of the original that is not the original itself, created by mechanical means or by photographing, and it is intended to have the same effect as the original. That is why describing a duplicate as “a copy of the original that is not the original itself” best fits the definition. The original is the actual source document, not a copy; a paraphrased version is not an exact reproduction; and calling an exact copy “treated as the original” mixes the two concepts instead of reflecting the rule’s distinction.