With SSC though, it makes a bit more sense based on their historical experience. I can't remember an instance where a 1/6 scale SSC figure was shelved due to inability to get licensor approval. So essentially, they're just engaging in a long-term marketing campaign. And in fact, SSC does make changes in the process to figures that coincides with collector criticisms (such as some of the DC figures, and Firefly having a camo head). So, they may actually take this into account, which is probably good for business.
I'm a bit confused by your response (approval is made of prototypes prior to solicitation of a figure for sale, not final figures following production), but I believe they should have at least preliminary approval and a high likelihood that they want to release a figure before showing it off. With licenses that have had a very tricky historical record of likeness rights being granted (Alien, Michael Jackson, X-Men), it seems counterproductive to show off prototypes or otherwise promote figures prematurely.
But Chan's probably got a fleet of private jets, so I guess he probably doesn't care all that much about upsetting a few collectors by creating throwing things out there at conventions that may or may not make it to production.
