Rule 1520 The content of a writing may be proved by an otherwise admissible original.

To prove what a document says in a California court, you can show the actual original document. For example, if you want to prove what a contract says, you bring the real contract to court.

The original has to be something the court would normally allow as evidence. Just because something is the original does not automatically mean the court will accept it. It still has to meet the other rules for what counts as valid evidence.