Multiple Copies
A bill of exchange may be drawn in multiple identical copies.
These copies must be numbered within the text of the instrument itself; otherwise, each copy is considered a separate bill of exchange.
Any holder of a bill that does not indicate it was drawn in a single copy may, at their own expense, demand the issuance of multiple copies. To this end, they must contact their immediate endorser, who is obligated to take action against their own endorser, and so on, working their way back to the drawer. Endorsers are required to reproduce the endorsements on the new copies.
Payment made on one of the copies discharges the debt, even if it is not stipulated that this payment cancels the effect of the other copies. However, the drawee remains liable for each accepted copy for which they have not received delivery.
The endorser who transferred the copies to different persons, as well as any subsequent endorsers, are liable for all copies bearing their signature that have not been returned.
The person who sent one of the copies for acceptance must indicate on the other copies the name of the person in whose possession that copy is currently held.
That person is obligated to deliver it to the legitimate holder of another copy.
If they refuse, the holder can only take legal action after having the following evidence established by a protest:
- That the copy sent for acceptance was not delivered to them upon their request;
- That acceptance or payment could not be obtained on another copy.
Copies of the Bill of Exchange
Any holder of a bill of exchange has the right to make copies of it.
The copy must exactly reproduce the original, including the endorsements and all other information contained therein. It must indicate where it ends.
It may be endorsed and guaranteed in the same manner and with the same effects as the original.
The copy must identify the holder of the original instrument. The holder is obligated to deliver said instrument to the legitimate holder of the copy.
If the holder refuses, the holder may only exercise recourse against the persons who endorsed or guaranteed the copy after having a protest established that the original was not delivered upon request.
If the original instrument, after the last endorsement made before the copy was created, bears the clause: "from this point forward, the endorsement is valid only on the copy" or any other equivalent wording. An endorsement signed later on the original is void.