VMS Help DECnet-Plus, DCL Commands, COPY, Qualifiers, /BEFORE  *Conan The Librarian (sorry for the slow response - running on an old VAX)

       /BEFORE
       /BEFORE=time

    Qualifier type:        Input file qualifier

    Supported file types:  Local

    This qualifier selects only those files that are dated before
    the time specified using absolute time (a specific date and/or
    time or a keyword - TODAY, TOMORROW, or YESTERDAY) or combination
    time (absolute plus delta time). Associated qualifiers: /BACKUP,
    /CREATED, /EXPIRED, or /MODIFIED. For information on specifying
    absolute and delta time, see the "OpenVMS User's Manual".

    Default value:         Today