: Distributing a BIOS is technically illegal under copyright law (lasting 95 years) because it is proprietary software owned by Sony. Emulators cannot include it in their downloads.
If you do not own a PS2 but you own an original "fat" PlayStation 3 model that is backward compatible, there is another legal method. The PS3's firmware actually contains the necessary BIOS files to run PS1 and PS2 games.
: A comprehensive directory listing containing various model versions (e.g., SCPH-10000, SCPH-30000, SCPH-70012) for Japan, UK, and Europe. internet archive playstation 2 bios link
because it contains Sony’s copyrighted code.
In 2020, SIE sent a takedown notice to the Internet Archive, requesting the removal of the PS2 BIOS files. However, the archive argued that the files were provided under fair use provisions, which permit limited use of copyrighted material for educational, research, and criticism purposes. : Distributing a BIOS is technically illegal under
The site provides clean, direct download links via HTTP or torrents. The Legality of Downloading a BIOS
If your downloaded archive is a .zip or .7z file, extract the contents directly into that bios folder. The PS3's firmware actually contains the necessary BIOS
While downloading copyrighted material technically constitutes copyright infringement, many enthusiasts view the PS2 BIOS as "abandonware"—software that is no longer actively sold or supported by the original manufacturer. The Internet Archive operates under certain digital preservation exemptions, but individual users downloading copyrighted files from the platform still occupy a legal grey area depending on local copyright laws. How to Use a PS2 BIOS Link Safely