Sarah Nagae focuses on trademark and copyright law, helping clients protect their business names, brand names, logos, artistic works and other forms of intellectual property. Sarah assists clients at all stages of the trademark lifecycle, from helping select and establish marks on the front end to making sure that mature marks are not encroached later down the road. In 2013, Sarah was among the first to become a Board Certified Specialist in Trademark Law in North Carolina.
Sarah works with startup, mid-market and large companies both locally and internationally. As trademark law applies broadly across many industries, she has worked with clients in many different business sectors. Her diverse experience includes retail, insurance, hospitality, video games, mobile technology and medical devices, among other industries. Originally from Washington State, Sarah also maintains a practice in that state to collaborate on matters for clients in the Northwest.
Typical engagements:
- Trademark Clearance Searches
Trademarks are the words and symbols that you use to identify your business. Before you file an application to register your trademark, Sarah highly recommends a search to locate applications, registrations and uses identical and similar to the name, logo or slogan you are considering. A search also helps us determine the potential risks and benefits of using a particular mark and whether or not it will be financially worthwhile to file an application. - Trademark Registration
Sarah prepares and files federal trademark applications for business names, product names, logos, and other types of marks. As part of the application process, she helps clients craft identifications of goods and services, determine the proper statutory basis on which to file the application, and choose a specimen. Trademark registration confers the owner with several benefits, including:- Public notice of your claim of ownership of the mark
- A legal presumption of your ownership of the mark nationwide
- An exclusive right to use the mark.
- Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
Sarah represents clients before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) in opposition, cancellation, and ex parte appeal proceedings. Oppositions occur when one party seeks to block registration of another party’s mark. Cancellations are filed when one party disputes the validity of a current registration owned by another party. An applicant may file an ex parte appeal to contest a trademark examining attorney’s refusal to register a trademark. . - Trademark License Agreements
If your company has a trademark, which is its identifying name or symbol, no one else is allowed to use it without authorization. Sarah negotiates and drafts trademark licensing agreements between trademark owners and those seeking to use the owners’ trademarks on goods or services. She also helps those seeking to license trademarks secure those rights, including distributors and online retailers - Trademark Watch Services
There are a lot of companies in the marketplace using a lot of different words, taglines and logos. So, how do you make sure that no one uses yours? Sarah provides trademark watch services: systematic monitoring of applications and registrations to help you efficiently police your intellectual property. - Copyright Registration
A copyright is a legal protection of an original work. These works include movies, songs, poetry, novels, photographs, paintings, architecture, some types of Web coding and other types of tangible artistic creations. Sarah helps artists and authors copyright the words and expressions they use to convey their ideas. - Copyright Licensing
Often, clients will want to use artistic works that were created by others. In these situations, Sarah helps clients negotiate copyright licensing agreements to establish the terms by which the work is shared. She assists clients on both sides of these transactions – authors who license their works and the companies that seek to secure copyright licenses to such works. - Design Patents
Sarah helps clients protect the unique design of their products. Design patents can cover the configuration or shape of an article, the surface ornamentation applied to an article, or a combination of configuration and surface ornamentation. - Domain Name Dispute Resolution
A domain name dispute occurs when one party registers (or attempts to register) a domain name that another party believes belongs to them. Sarah can help business owners and individuals who are involved domain disputes. - Advertising Agreements and Compliance
There’s a big difference between “world’s best coffee” puffery and fraudulent commercials and scams. And, in that gap, there are lots of gray areas. Sarah can help business owners and professionals when questions arise about advertising contracts and the law regulating advertisements.
- University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, J.D., 2005
- University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, M.P.H., Nutrition, 2000;
- University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, M.A., Exercise Physiology, 1998
- Stanford University, B.A., Human Biology, 1996
- North Carolina
- Washington
- United States Patent and Trademark Office
- North Carolina Bar Association IP Section, 2012-present, currently Secretary
- Triangle Intellectual Property Law Association, 2013-present, currently Vice President
- Volunteer attorney for Legal Aid of NC’s Lawyer on the Line program, 2011-present
- Intellectual Property Owners’ Association (IPO) U.S. Trademark Law Committee, 2012-2013
- 2015 Winner, Business North Carolina Magazine’s Legal Elite, Intellectual Property
- North Carolina Bar Association IP Section Outstanding Achievement Pro Bono Award, 2014-2015
Overview
Sarah Nagae focuses on trademark and copyright law, helping clients protect their business names, brand names, logos, artistic works and other forms of intellectual property. Sarah assists clients at all stages of the trademark lifecycle, from helping select and establish marks on the front end to making sure that mature marks are not encroached later down the road. In 2013, Sarah was among the first to become a Board Certified Specialist in Trademark Law in North Carolina.
Sarah works with startup, mid-market and large companies both locally and internationally. As trademark law applies broadly across many industries, she has worked with clients in many different business sectors. Her diverse experience includes retail, insurance, hospitality, video games, mobile technology and medical devices, among other industries. Originally from Washington State, Sarah also maintains a practice in that state to collaborate on matters for clients in the Northwest.
Typical engagements:
- Trademark Clearance Searches
Trademarks are the words and symbols that you use to identify your business. Before you file an application to register your trademark, Sarah highly recommends a search to locate applications, registrations and uses identical and similar to the name, logo or slogan you are considering. A search also helps us determine the potential risks and benefits of using a particular mark and whether or not it will be financially worthwhile to file an application. - Trademark Registration
Sarah prepares and files federal trademark applications for business names, product names, logos, and other types of marks. As part of the application process, she helps clients craft identifications of goods and services, determine the proper statutory basis on which to file the application, and choose a specimen. Trademark registration confers the owner with several benefits, including:- Public notice of your claim of ownership of the mark
- A legal presumption of your ownership of the mark nationwide
- An exclusive right to use the mark.
- Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
Sarah represents clients before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) in opposition, cancellation, and ex parte appeal proceedings. Oppositions occur when one party seeks to block registration of another party’s mark. Cancellations are filed when one party disputes the validity of a current registration owned by another party. An applicant may file an ex parte appeal to contest a trademark examining attorney’s refusal to register a trademark. . - Trademark License Agreements
If your company has a trademark, which is its identifying name or symbol, no one else is allowed to use it without authorization. Sarah negotiates and drafts trademark licensing agreements between trademark owners and those seeking to use the owners’ trademarks on goods or services. She also helps those seeking to license trademarks secure those rights, including distributors and online retailers - Trademark Watch Services
There are a lot of companies in the marketplace using a lot of different words, taglines and logos. So, how do you make sure that no one uses yours? Sarah provides trademark watch services: systematic monitoring of applications and registrations to help you efficiently police your intellectual property. - Copyright Registration
A copyright is a legal protection of an original work. These works include movies, songs, poetry, novels, photographs, paintings, architecture, some types of Web coding and other types of tangible artistic creations. Sarah helps artists and authors copyright the words and expressions they use to convey their ideas. - Copyright Licensing
Often, clients will want to use artistic works that were created by others. In these situations, Sarah helps clients negotiate copyright licensing agreements to establish the terms by which the work is shared. She assists clients on both sides of these transactions – authors who license their works and the companies that seek to secure copyright licenses to such works. - Design Patents
Sarah helps clients protect the unique design of their products. Design patents can cover the configuration or shape of an article, the surface ornamentation applied to an article, or a combination of configuration and surface ornamentation. - Domain Name Dispute Resolution
A domain name dispute occurs when one party registers (or attempts to register) a domain name that another party believes belongs to them. Sarah can help business owners and individuals who are involved domain disputes. - Advertising Agreements and Compliance
There’s a big difference between “world’s best coffee” puffery and fraudulent commercials and scams. And, in that gap, there are lots of gray areas. Sarah can help business owners and professionals when questions arise about advertising contracts and the law regulating advertisements.
- North Carolina Bar Association IP Section, 2012-present, currently Secretary
- Triangle Intellectual Property Law Association, 2013-present, currently Vice President
- Volunteer attorney for Legal Aid of NC’s Lawyer on the Line program, 2011-present
- Intellectual Property Owners’ Association (IPO) U.S. Trademark Law Committee, 2012-2013
- 2015 Winner, Business North Carolina Magazine’s Legal Elite, Intellectual Property
- North Carolina Bar Association IP Section Outstanding Achievement Pro Bono Award, 2014-2015
Notable
In August 2016, Sarah brought her personal brand to Nexsen Pruet.
Triangle Trademarks®
“I would highly recommend Sarah with Triangle Trademarks. When I had an issue with copyright and trademark, I fully expected the process to be tedious and complicated. Sarah explained the process in legal terms I could understand and she handled all the complicated communications and paperwork with professionalism and ease. I always felt she was being honest and straightforward with her recommendations. I would definitely use Triangle Trademarks again. Thank you!”
– Casey Tarpy, Business Owner
“I’m so glad we found Sarah when looking for a trademark attorney. She did an awesome job communicating with us and always answered her phone! This is a rarity these days. We had a difficult infringement issue and she knew exactly how to handle it. She also helped us file for a state trademark to protect our brand. I highly recommend Sarah if you need any trademark work.”
– Mike Hoffer, Business Owner
“Sarah was very responsive and thorough in her work. As an owner of two businesses I didn’t have the time to mess with trademark stuff, but I wanted to be protected. She handled everything from top to bottom. Quick and painless. VERY happy!”
– Bret Oliverio, Business Owner
“I am so impressed with the quality of service that our non-profit organization has received from Sarah Nagae at Triangle Trademarks. Sarah is always very professional and yet very approachable. She has always been very timely with all of our requests and application submissions. It has been a pleasure to work with Sarah over the past four years and I wholeheartedly recommend her and her firm.”
– Erin Kenny, Non-profit Organization Director
“Sarah Nagae was recommended to us by our attorney as we built a Franchise Division of Le Ne Spa. Sarah met with us and explained in detail what we would encounter as we registered and protected both our name and trademark. Her estimates of time required were right on and she handled all the details with the Federal Government. Both trademark and name are now registered and protected. A superb job by Sarah.”
– Charles Lane, Marketing Director
“Sarah Nagae has been an integral part of our business. Once our business began to grow, and our branding campaign begin to pay off, we soon realized that there were things we should have done in the beginning, such as trademarking! Triangle Trademarks was referred to me by another attorney that does not handle trademarks. Sarah met with me, explained the process thoroughly, and best of all, did not talk down to me or act as if it was ridiculous that I didn’t know a thing about the trademark process. Sarah completed the trademarking of our business name and logo quickly, and with ease. I highly recommend Sarah Nagae/Triangle Trademarks for anyone looking for such a service!”
– Shannon Arner, Business Owner
“They’ve been a great help with trademarks, copyright, and risk assessment. I’m especially pleased with their willingness to work with me to keep my costs manageable.”
– Phillip Lombardi, Business Owner
Speaking & Writing
- Supplemental Register Gets Nod from Trademark Trial & Appeal Board
September 19, 2016 - Is a Cheerleading Uniform’s Design Separable from its Utilitarian Aspects and Therefore Copyrightable?
November 2, 2016 - What is a Trademark?
November 29, 2016 - What Makes a Good Trademark?
December 6, 2016 - Why Are Trademark Searches Important?
December 13, 2016 - How Do You Protect Your Trademark?
December 20, 2016 - Creating Your Trademark
May 23, 2017 - Trademark Tuesday: Expired Trademark Registration
June 6, 2017 - What To Do If You Get a Cease & Desist Letter
June 13, 2017 - What if I didn't register my trademark?
June 20, 2017 - Registering your Trademark with Customs and Border Protection
June 27, 2017
2014 Trademark Year in Review, Manuscript to accompany presentation at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the IP Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association.
Trademarks for the Stars: Tips on Using and Protecting Sports & Entertainment Marks in Social Media, Manuscript to accompany presentation at "Protecting the IP Rights of Sports & Entertainment Clients in the Age of Social Media," a Joint CLE of the Sports & Entertainment Law and IP Law Sections of the North Carolina Bar Association, December 2014.
Best Practices in Trademark Clearance, Manuscript to accompany presentation at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the IP Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association, March 2014.
Do We Need an Exception to the Exception to the Disclaimer Requirement? A Proposal to Retain the Unitary Mark Exception but Eliminate the "Single Word" Rule, Published on IP Law 360, October 2011.
Outside Nexsen Pruet
When not in the office, Sarah can be found running, biking, swimming or playing at a Raleigh park with her family and dog. Physical activity has been a big part of her life. Sarah competed in gymnastics as a child and was on the diving team in high school. In college, she raced with the Stanford cycling team and then went on to do triathlons and marathons, including an Ironman and the Boston Marathon. She has also practiced yoga for the past 20 years. Sarah enjoys sharing stories and tips with other athletes and also loves talking with people who are hoping to exercise more regularly.
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