Specimen copy
A voucher copy is the evidence of a service provided or the use of a copyrighted work in the case of publications in print products .
Germany
Essence
Publishers provide their clients with evidence of publication with a specimen copy . In this way, the advertising agencies and their clients are provided with evidence that an advertisement has appeared and how it was placed. At PR agencies , the specimen copy serves as proof that a press release was used for editorial purposes. For the journalist or author , it is evidence that an article was published by him. The picture agencies and photographers that a photograph has been published and where .
Two specimen copies are usual, one for the agency and one for its client. In all cases, the corresponding newspaper or magazine page (page reference) is sufficient if it shows the essential characteristics such as title, issue, placement and date of publication, otherwise the entire printed copy must be provided.
The voucher copy not only serves as proof of the service provided by the publishers and the corresponding invoicing, but is also proof to the author of a copyrighted work such as the author, photographer and graphic artist that it has been used within the scope of the permitted use which he could otherwise prohibit due to his authorship (§§ 12 ff. UrhG).
Specimen copy right
In contrast to the author's copy ( § 25 VerlG) , there is no direct legal basis for claiming to be able to request a voucher copy , but it follows from the general legal principle of performance in good faith with consideration of the custom ( § 242 BGB). Therefore, the specimen copy is usually the subject of privately written contractual agreements or the general terms and conditions of publishers, advertising and picture agencies as well as photographers and journalists.
If a publication is partially or completely based on archive or library material, the author is obliged, in accordance with the respective state laws, to provide the archive or library with specimen copies.