[icoder]

Really? AFAIK in my country (Netherlands), a 'verbal agreement' is also legally binding. Is that different in US? Of course it may be harder to proof, but at the end of a website building job there's often enough paper and email trails to make your case.

[mpchlets]

A verbal (oral) contract is a contract in the US - though very hard to prove. Chain of custody of the code is one way.

Intellectual property rights are all the rage these days and that would mix into this.

[emiliobumachar]

I'm not an american, but yes, I believe verbal contracts do apply in the US. I called it unrealistic because it's much harder to prove. As you pointed out, it's possible.