[lhc-]

Consider this: what happens when that same hacker then spends some of the money he stole from legit users to lobby the software company to ignore the bug in the system (or make it even easier for him to exploit). Do you still admire his ingenuity? Or do you (rightfully) despise his inability and unwillingness to play by the rules that everyone else follows, because he has been able to use his dirty money to keep the loopholes open?

[law]

To lobby a software company? That makes no sense. If anything, that hacker would be lobbying Congress...and frankly, that's his or her prerogative. I don't care what they do. It's not dirty money just because you say it is; it's legally-acquired money that a subset of the population feels was obtained illegitimately. I don't like what has happened with the patent system any more than you do, but I'm choosing my battles. I'm disdainful toward patent trolls; I'm thankful for them, because they effectively give me work (invalidating their patents)

[gtirloni]

"I don't care what they do."

Exactly the point of the OP. Thanks for not helping.