[Brad]

I don't see how it can be considered unfair to the people that release their work here. They can always upload it some place else if they want.

My situation right now is that I need to look at modifications for a potential client - and getting a license is impossible to obtain since there is no contract yet.

You don't need one. Your client simply has to give you the proper permissions by going to the member's area.

If you're a developer like I am working on a vBulletin site, and your client does not give you a key, or has already used it, then where are we to turn?

There are no 'keys', you simply grant access to the people that need it. Multiple people can be tied to the same license. At any rate if your client refuses to give you this access, and you require that access to finish the job then it's his problem..not yours.