Fat Cat Fab Lab

Join us at Fat Cat Fab Lab for a practical presentation on intellectual property and patent law tailored for makers, builders, hardware/software developers, and early-stage founders.

Led by New York patent attorney and inventor Stefan Knirr, this session will explore the fundamentals of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets through the lens of real-world product development and commercialization.

Topics will include:
• What patents do — and do not — protect
• Provisional vs. non-provisional patent strategies
• Public disclosure risks and timing
• Protecting prototypes, code, CAD files, branding, and creative assets
• Common IP mistakes early-stage builders make
• Practical considerations around cost, filing strategy, and commercialization

The session is designed to be practical, accessible, and directly relevant to creators developing products, launching startups, collaborating with others, or preparing to bring ideas to market.

6:30–6:45 → Arrival / networking
6:45–7:30 → Main presentation
7:30–8:00 → Audience Q&A + project-specific questions

Free and open to the community. Limited seating available.

In-Person Open House at Fat Cat Fab Lab!

Open House and Project Night:

• Open House is casual and unstructured, come hang!
• Get a tour of the space: Laser room, woodshop, metal shop, sewing area, 3D printing area, electronics lab, and more!
• If you're looking for help with a project, stop by and meet members who may be able to help you with that cool new project you're totally stuck on!
• If you're a non-member, this day is for you. You're welcome to use our space and hand tools to work on your projects! (Note: 3D printers available if your print completes during the meetup. Sorry, laser and CNC router reserved for members or those who've taken a class.)
• If you're interested in joining as a Fat Cat Fab Lab member, in person participation at one of our Open House events is the first step towards becoming a member!

See you there!

In-Person Open House at Fat Cat Fab Lab!

Open House and Project Night:

• Open House is casual and unstructured, come hang!
• Get a tour of the space: Laser room, woodshop, metal shop, sewing area, 3D printing area, electronics lab, and more!
• If you're looking for help with a project, stop by and meet members who may be able to help you with that cool new project you're totally stuck on!
• If you're a non-member, this day is for you. You're welcome to use our space and hand tools to work on your projects! (Note: 3D printers available if your print completes during the meetup. Sorry, laser and CNC router reserved for members or those who've taken a class.)
• If you're interested in joining as a Fat Cat Fab Lab member, in person participation at one of our Open House events is the first step towards becoming a member!

See you there!