Really have to consider that not all users on this forum are American and therefore other copyright laws apply. Simple as. The whole discussion "this is legal, this is illegal" is pointless because, if you live in a different country, different laws apply and what you say therefore has no weight whatsoever.
In Sweden for example, it is legal to borrow and copy for personal use, but it does not mention where that source necessarily has to come from. I can copy the PS2 bios from a friend's PS2 and that would, in theory, be legal, as long as I only do it for private use only. If I start sharing it and attempt to charge for my copied bios however, then what I am doing is illegal.
Bottomline: these discussions are rather pointless unless you are explicitly interested in discussing the copyright laws of a specific (read your) country. The best way for you to get an idea of what is legal or illegal regarding copyright in your country is to read up. Most countries got their lawbooks available for the public to access, may it be internet or the library.
EDIT
However, I would see it as beneficial if the JPCSP staff would clarify WHICH copyright laws it follows, as evidenced by the above, as I think the staff would ignore my pleas for help if I mentioned I had bios for PS2 copied off my friend's PS2, for example (despite that it would be legal in Sweden as long as I did it for private use).
I also see the point about submitting data of unmodified hardware, but again, what is legal or not when it comes to modification depends on the country you live in and what you do with that hardware. Clarification from the staff would thus be helpful on all points.
In Sweden for example, it is legal to borrow and copy for personal use, but it does not mention where that source necessarily has to come from. I can copy the PS2 bios from a friend's PS2 and that would, in theory, be legal, as long as I only do it for private use only. If I start sharing it and attempt to charge for my copied bios however, then what I am doing is illegal.
Bottomline: these discussions are rather pointless unless you are explicitly interested in discussing the copyright laws of a specific (read your) country. The best way for you to get an idea of what is legal or illegal regarding copyright in your country is to read up. Most countries got their lawbooks available for the public to access, may it be internet or the library.
EDIT
However, I would see it as beneficial if the JPCSP staff would clarify WHICH copyright laws it follows, as evidenced by the above, as I think the staff would ignore my pleas for help if I mentioned I had bios for PS2 copied off my friend's PS2, for example (despite that it would be legal in Sweden as long as I did it for private use).
I also see the point about submitting data of unmodified hardware, but again, what is legal or not when it comes to modification depends on the country you live in and what you do with that hardware. Clarification from the staff would thus be helpful on all points.