Middletown, OH asked in Family Law, Tax Law, Collections and Gaming for Ohio

Q: Is it legal to emulate a PC version of a PC game if I own the ps2 version of said game, without console?

Is it legal to emulate a PC version of a game if:

I own: PS2 version

I DO NOT OWN: PC version, ps2 console.

(The game is the same on both ps2 and PC port. no differences, additional content, etc)

Game in question: Sonic heroes (No longer able to legally purchase from seller, does not have digital version.)

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: Generally, emulating a game you own on a different platform than the one you purchased it for falls into a legal gray area. Even if you own the PS2 version of Sonic Heroes, this doesn't automatically grant you the right to play the PC version through emulation.

The key issue here is that the PC version, while similar in content, is technically a separate product with its own license and distribution rights. When you bought the PS2 version, you purchased a license to play that specific version on PS2 hardware, not a universal right to play the game on any platform.

While some argue that emulation for personal use of games you own might fall under fair use, especially for discontinued titles like Sonic Heroes that can't be purchased new, this interpretation hasn't been definitively settled in court. Your safest legal option would be to either find a legitimate copy of the PC version or stick to playing your PS2 version through proper PS2 hardware.

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