Rulings

• 2004-10-04
  The spell copy has all the text and can result in itself being copied.
• 2016-06-08
  The player putting the copy of the spell on the stack controls that copy.
• 2016-06-08
  If the targeted permanent or player is an illegal target when Chain Lightning tries to resolve, the spell doesn’t resolve. It can’t be copied.
• 2016-06-08
  The copy of Chain Lightning is created on the stack, so it’s not cast. Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won’t trigger. Players may respond to that spell before it resolves.
• 2016-06-08
  As Chain Lightning resolves, the targeted player or the controller of the targeted creature may copy it. The copy has the same text, target, and color of the resolving spell, though the player who’s copying it may choose a new target for it. Once that copy is created (or not), the first Chain Lightning has finished resolving and leaves the stack.
• 2004-10-04
  The copy is a spell, so it can be targeted by other spells and abilities that target a spell.
• 2004-10-04
  The player putting the copy spell on the stack controls that spell.
• 2022-12-08
  As Chain Lightning resolves, either the original or one of the copies, the targeted player or the controller of the targeted permanent may copy it. The copy has the same text, target, and color as the resolving spell, though the player creating the copy may choose a new target for it. Once that copy is created (or not), the Chain Lightning finishes resolving and leaves the stack.
• 2022-12-08
  If the targeted player or permanent is an illegal target as Chain Lightning tries to resolve, the spell doesn’t resolve and none of its effects happen. It can’t be copied.