To patch or not to patch........

[coyw]

I've asked this question elsewhere but I am still not sure of the answer. I downloaded a database that shows if games are protected and it appears to me that most are not, so why is there so much patching going on? Am I missing something? In a previous thread I read, Patching a ANY GAME in a PS ONE With a MODCHIP from MODCHIP.com, the game being patched was die hard trilogy 2, now my database does not show that as protected so why the patch? I have backed up two games so far just by using Nero 5 (smackdown 2 & GTA). Now smackdown is a current game but there was no need for any patching I just selected the File>CD copy and followed the suggested settings and it all worked fine.