My suggestions are not in the form of a scam, just to make that clear. Why do you think that so many things that are 'knock offs' get into the marketplace? It's obvious what they are trying to portray.
During my coursework for my M.B.A. I had to take classes on Intellectual Property (IP). Part of the whole ball of wax is the concept of how close to something can another thing be and not cross IP lines. As I said, the handlink would not be able to be an exact replica. If it was, then it would certainly be an IP violation. If it's too close then a court might find that closeness to be a IP violation. The same with the name. If there is ANY absolute association by name (i.e. Imaging Chamber handlink, gummy bear handlink,) then a court would likely find the item in IP violation. Finally no association with QL can be made in advertising the item (e.g. character names, show names, logos, or anything else.) If it was advertised with a QL focus, then the again, a court could find an IP violoation. All of these things would make advertising and selling a little tricky to the demographic it is designed for, but there you go.
Even with doing all of this stuff, TPTB who hold the IP for the device could STILL come after someone and probably would if the person was making significant money on the item. A lawsuit doesn't have to be airtight to be filed. And sometimes, the cost of fighting something that you know the underdog will win is just not worth it. So, no matter what, even this type of activity (which again is NOT a scam, it's a tried and true marketing technique) can be problematic for the seller.
As to the T'Shirt Idea, again, if the collectibles are exact duplicates, that in itself is an IP violation,whether the collectible is being 'given away' or not. Everytime someone makes an exact duplicate of something protected by IP laws (even for personal use) by definition they are stepping on those same IP laws whether someone is making money or not. Now...most companies do not swoop down on the unsuspecting fan who made them. Paramount, for instance, has realized that by allowing Trek fandom to thrive within reason, it actually generates continued revenue for them. So, an occasional one on one sale is usally going to go under the radar of the company holding the IP rights. However, if they get wind of it, again, they could request the person to 'cease and desist' selling the product or face a lawsuit.
So...I'm really sorry that this might be a sucky situation but that's the reality of it. It's part of the reason that few people go this route and why so little is out there.
During my coursework for my M.B.A. I had to take classes on Intellectual Property (IP). Part of the whole ball of wax is the concept of how close to something can another thing be and not cross IP lines. As I said, the handlink would not be able to be an exact replica. If it was, then it would certainly be an IP violation. If it's too close then a court might find that closeness to be a IP violation. The same with the name. If there is ANY absolute association by name (i.e. Imaging Chamber handlink, gummy bear handlink,) then a court would likely find the item in IP violation. Finally no association with QL can be made in advertising the item (e.g. character names, show names, logos, or anything else.) If it was advertised with a QL focus, then the again, a court could find an IP violoation. All of these things would make advertising and selling a little tricky to the demographic it is designed for, but there you go.
Even with doing all of this stuff, TPTB who hold the IP for the device could STILL come after someone and probably would if the person was making significant money on the item. A lawsuit doesn't have to be airtight to be filed. And sometimes, the cost of fighting something that you know the underdog will win is just not worth it. So, no matter what, even this type of activity (which again is NOT a scam, it's a tried and true marketing technique) can be problematic for the seller.
As to the T'Shirt Idea, again, if the collectibles are exact duplicates, that in itself is an IP violation,whether the collectible is being 'given away' or not. Everytime someone makes an exact duplicate of something protected by IP laws (even for personal use) by definition they are stepping on those same IP laws whether someone is making money or not. Now...most companies do not swoop down on the unsuspecting fan who made them. Paramount, for instance, has realized that by allowing Trek fandom to thrive within reason, it actually generates continued revenue for them. So, an occasional one on one sale is usally going to go under the radar of the company holding the IP rights. However, if they get wind of it, again, they could request the person to 'cease and desist' selling the product or face a lawsuit.
So...I'm really sorry that this might be a sucky situation but that's the reality of it. It's part of the reason that few people go this route and why so little is out there.