Just how risky?

[IAFess]

Hi, I have a newbie question, if all can bear with me. I know it says to make a backup
of EQ folder, then run the EQEMU patcher. What are the risks involved with running
the EQEMU patcher in the same folder you will connect to live servers with? Is the
EQEMU patcher going to modify or add any content in the main EQ folder? Something that
Sony will pick up on and ban for? Or is the only reason you make a backup copy of EQ folder,
that it saves you an unpatched copy of EQ, that you keep unpatched indefinitely
to avoid any issues with new patches making EQEMU unplayable?

Lots of questions, I know. Any help is greatly appreciated.