By Blake Brittain

(Reuters) -The Boy Scouts of America’s use of the word “Scouting” to advertise co-ed programs does not violate the Girl Scouts’ trademark rights, a Manhattan federal court ruled https://tmsnrt.rs/3x5O3QC on Thursday.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein stated that the Girl Scouts filed a suit over the term based on fear competition from Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts can use “Scouts”, “Scouting” or “Scouting” in any way they like, without gender reference.

Girl Scouts released a statement saying that it was deeply disappointed by the outcome and would appeal.

Boy Scouts of America stated that they were pleased with the decision by the court and look forward to welcoming girls into their programs.

Hellerstein said that he would be the Boy Scouts’ ruler at an September hearing.

In 2017, the Boy Scouts declared that they would accept girls into their ranks and launched a campaign to encourage them. In 2019, it officially opened its doors to girls and changed the name of their main program, Scouts BSA.

2018: The Girl Scouts filed a lawsuit against the Boy Scouts alleging that its use of Scouts (and “Scouting”) to market to girls was in violation of their trademarks. The group claimed that the rebrand caused confusion and threatened to marginalize it.

Boy Scouts referred to the suit as part of a Girl Scouts ground war against its entry in girls’ scouting.

Each organization has lost significant members in the recent years. The Boy Scouts seeks to settle a $2.7Billion settlement for thousands of sex abuse cases in bankruptcy court.

Hellerstein stated in his ruling that there had been no trademark confusion and that Girl Scouts sued because of their “fear for the Girl Scouts competitive position in an market that offers gender-neutral options for Scouting.”