Are Emulators Illegal and Can You Use Them to Boot PS2 Discs?

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SUMMARY

The legality of emulators for PlayStation 2 (PS2) games hinges on the use of firmware. While emulating hardware components like the display and sound is generally accepted, utilizing the PS2 firmware is often deemed illegal due to licensing issues with Sony. The discussion indicates that a fully functional PS2 emulator would require this firmware, which Sony is unlikely to license for non-PS2 hardware. As the PS2 becomes obsolete, the potential for legal emulators may increase, similar to trends observed with older computer systems.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of emulator architecture and functionality
  • Knowledge of PS2 hardware components and firmware
  • Familiarity with copyright laws related to software and firmware
  • Awareness of historical context regarding obsolete gaming systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the legal implications of using emulators for gaming
  • Explore existing PS2 emulators and their hardware requirements
  • Investigate the history of legal emulators for obsolete gaming systems
  • Learn about firmware extraction and its legal ramifications
USEFUL FOR

Game developers, legal professionals in the tech industry, and retro gaming enthusiasts interested in the implications of emulator use and the future of PS2 gaming.

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1. Are they illegal?
2. Should you be able to put a PS2 disc in the computer, open the emulator and boot the disc?
 
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The general pattern with emulators is that it's often considered ok to emulate most of the parts of the emulated device - the display, sound chips, microprocessor etc., but not the firmware in the ROM (or equivalent).

To make a working simulator, the firmware is almost always required, and as Sony probably won't want to license the firmware to run on any hardware except an actual PS2, it probably means that such a simulator would be illegal.

Sony might decide to sell a legal licenced simulator, but probably not.

Once the PS2 becomes obsolete, you'll probably find that there will eventually be legal simulators for it. This has already happened with many old computers from 20 years ago or thereabouts.
 

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