What type of data is excluded from the definition of hard copy?

The correct choice identifies digital files on hard drives as being excluded from the definition of hard copy. Hard copy generally refers to physical printed materials that can be physically handled or stored in a tangible format. This includes items like printed documents, facsimiles, and continuous printed tapes, all of which manifest in a physical form that one can touch and store as paper documents.

In contrast, digital files existing on hard drives reside in a non-physical space and require electronic devices for access and manipulation. They do not have a tangible form and, therefore, do not meet the criteria of hard copy. This distinction is crucial in understanding the differences between physical documents that can be printed and the digital information stored electronically. Thus, recognizing that hard copy pertains strictly to physical media clarifies why digital files are not included in this definition.