When performing an IP audit, why is it critical to verify the assignment of source code ownership from individual developers to the corporate entity?

In copyright law, the individual who creates code is the original owner of that intellectual property, regardless of who paid for the work. Unless a formal legal agreement exists to transfer those rights, the company does not legally own the code it commissioned. Verifying assignment is critical because without a written instrument of transfer, an individual developer retains the legal right to control, license, or sue the company for using their ow....