PS2 Game Patching & Libcrypt

[lufcfan]

Today I learned that the copy protection on Playstation 2 Games is the old PSX/Libcrypt protection. I have a DVD and a CD-Rewriter Drive and I wondered if there was any way to crack or bypass this protection and make a successful copy. If this is so, will I need a boot disc or a modchip or do patches crack this protection. I don't know a lot about this subject. I wonder,what exactly is a patch? Can it defeat the Libcrypt protection without the use of a MODchip? And if so, will I need a Boot Disc to make my copies work?
I also have another question, what is the best program for copying Playstation 2 games and how do you use it. Any help on these matters will be most appreciated...

Thanks for any help,
LUFCfan