This paper is concerned with the numerical approximation of Cauchy problems for one-dimensional nonconservative hyperbolic systems. The theory developed by Dal Maso et al. [J. Math. Pures Appl.74 (1995) 483–548] is used in order to define the weak solutions of the system: an interpretation of the nonconservative products as Borel measures is given, based on the choice of a family of paths drawn in the phase space. Even if the family of paths can be chosen arbitrarily, it is natural to require this...