[ThatPlayer]

There are exemptions that get updated by the Library of Congress every few years. The current one is from 2021: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-10-28/pdf/2021-2...

You get a few exemptions for research for security reasons, but it does require it to be on "a lawfully acquired device or machine on which the computer program operates solely". So an emulator doesn't fit the bill at all.

Video games are mentioned: you're allowed to circumvent DRM for games that no longer have their online servers running.

[eproxus]

That is interesting. I wonder if there are any Switch games which have had their servers turned of and if an emulator can be argued to be made for the purpose of supporting that game only (that it then happens to play other games...)