A workprint is any number of the prints made of the film prior to final production. Typically a workprint is used to ensure that the story and effects are flowing properly and is pretty much the last print that the director sees before it goes into mass film distribution.
http://img263.echo.cx/img263/9881/sw3am.png Click on the link (or paste it into your browser) for an example of what the workprint looks like. The number counters are for synching the video and audio tracks in this case.
Interesting, thanks!
You know, in this digital era the studios could code each 'print' and then track the persons who have access to that particular print. If for some reason they suspect someone, they might even slip him or her a uniquely coded print and see if it turns up on the market.
