Re: Can I ask a stupid question?
IANAL, but "intent" would come into play -- I believe there is dispensation for being a security "researcher. Elimination of that allowance by the DMCA has proven to be problematic for American academics. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/21/digital-millennium-copyright-act-eff-supreme-court
Not a complete answer to your question, a place to start.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
