# PA. R. Ct. 1001: Rule 1001. Definitions That Apply to This Article

> Pennsylvania · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R1001

## Section

- **Citation:** PA. R. Ct. 1001
- **Heading:** Rule 1001. Definitions That Apply to This Article
- **Jurisdiction:** Pennsylvania
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** PA Court Rules / Title 225 / Rule 1001

## Text

In this article: (a) A ‘‘writing’’ consists of letters, words, numbers, or their equivalent set down in any form. (b) A ‘‘recording’’ consists of letters, words, numbers, or their equivalent recorded in any manner. (c) A ‘‘photograph’’ means a photographic image or its equivalent stored in any form. (d) An ‘‘original’’ of a writing or recording means the writing or recording itself or any counterpart intended to have the same effect by the person who executed or issued it. For electronically stored information, ‘‘original’’ means any printout—or other output readable by sight—if it accurately reflects the information. An ‘‘original’’ of a photograph includes the negative or a print from it. (e) A ‘‘duplicate’’ means a copy produced by a mechanical, photographic, chemical, electronic, or other equivalent process or technique that accurately reproduces the original. Comment This rule is identical to F.R.E. 1001, except that the word ‘‘copy’’ in Pa.R.E 1001(e) replaces the word ‘‘counterpart’’ used in F.R.E. 1001(e). Paragraph 1001(e) defines the term duplicate. This term is important because of the admissibility of duplicates under Pa.R.E. 1003. This rule differs from the Federal Rule in that the word ‘‘counterpart’’ has been replaced by the word ‘‘copy.’’ The word ‘‘counterpart’’ is used in paragraph 1001(d) to refer to a copy intended to have the same effect as the writing or recording itself. The word ‘‘copy’’ is used in paragraph 1003(e) to mean a copy that was not intended to have the same effect as the original. Pennsylvania law has permitted the use of duplicates produced by the same impression as the original, as is the case with carbon copies. See Brenner v. Lesher , 332 Pa. 522, 2 A.2d 731 (1938); Commonwealth v. Johnson , 373 Pa. Super. 312, 541 A.2d 332 (1988); Pennsylvania Liquor Control Bd. v. Evolo , 204 Pa. Super. 225, 203 A.2d 332 (1964). Pennsylvania has not treated other duplicates as admissible unless the original was shown to be unavailable through no fault of the proponent
as the original, as is the case with carbon copies. See Brenner v. Lesher , 332 Pa. 522, 2 A.2d 731 (1938); Commonwealth v. Johnson , 373 Pa. Super. 312, 541 A.2d 332 (1988); Pennsylvania Liquor Control Bd. v. Evolo , 204 Pa. Super. 225, 203 A.2d 332 (1964). Pennsylvania has not treated other duplicates as admissible unless the original was shown to be unavailable through no fault of the proponent. For this reason, the definition of duplicates, other than those produced by the same impression as the original, is new to Pennsylvania law. The justification for adopting the new definition is discussed in the Comment to Pa.R.E. 1003. Official Note Adopted May 8, 1998, effective October 1, 1998; rescinded and replaced January 17, 2013, effective March 18, 2013. Committee Explanatory Reports : Final Report explaining the January 17, 2013 rescission and replacement published with the Court’s Order at 43 Pa.B. 651 (February 2, 2013). Source The provisions of this Rule 1001 rescinded and replaced January 17, 2013, effective in sixty days, 43 Pa.B. 620. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (245807) to (245808).

## Nearby sections

- [PA. R. Ct. 101 Rule 101. Scope, Adoption and Citation, and Construction of Rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R101.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 102 Rule 102. Application of Rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R102.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 103 Rule 103. Rulings on Evidence.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R103.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 104 Rule 104. Preliminary Questions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R104.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 105 Rule 105. Limiting Evidence That is Not Admissible Against Other Parties or for Other Purposes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R105.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 106 Rule 106. Remainder of or Related Writings or Recorded Statements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R106.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 201 Rule 201. Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R201.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 301 Rule 301. Presumptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R301.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 401 Rule 401. Test for Relevant Evidence.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R401.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 402 Rule 402. General Admissibility of Relevant Evidence.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R402.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 403 Rule 403. Excluding Relevant Evidence for Prejudice, Confusion, Waste of Time, or Other Reasons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R403.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 404 Rule 404. Character Evidence; Other Crimes, Wrongs, or Acts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R404.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 405 Rule 405. Methods of Proving Character.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R405.md)
- [PA. R. Ct. 406 Rule 406. Habit; Routine Practice.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R406.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T225_R1001. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.