If you are using the NTSC-U version copy protection does not stop at not letting you boot the game, infact most copy protected games don't stop you from starting the game but will freeze ingame or just make it so your can't proceed to the end of the game, by preventing you from doing certain things
I don't think this is one of those game though to be honest
Grab the patch for ePSXe at
http://www.epforums.org/showthread.php?67412
You can also try and enable the sub channel reading in the CD plugin for ePSXe