  def self.get_copies_folder(user_id)

    my_folder = User.get_my_folder(user_id)

    unless my_folder.nil?
      con = "(parent_id=#{my_folder.id}) and (name='#{Item.copies_folder}')"

      begin
        copies_folder = Folder.where(con).first
      rescue
      end
      if copies_folder.nil?
        folder = Folder.new
        folder.name = Item.copies_folder
        folder.parent_id = my_folder.id
        folder.owner_id = user_id.to_i
        folder.xtype = nil
        folder.read_users = '|' + user_id.to_s + '|'
        folder.write_users = '|' + user_id.to_s + '|'
        folder.save!

        copies_folder = folder
      end
    end

    return copies_folder
  end