Two personal injury lawyers in San Antonio are locked in a legal dispute over the rights to the phone number 777-1111, arguing whether it can be trademarked or remains too generic to own.
One lawyer filed to trademark the number, but the other claims he was threatened and rushed to court first, asserting the number is too common for exclusive use. The case hinges on whether the number has developed enough distinctiveness to qualify as a trademark.
If the court rules in favor of the trademark, one lawyer could gain exclusive commercial rights to the number. Otherwise, it may remain available for anyone to use.