No, but I bet they'd stop someone who tried to form the "National Catholic War Veterans" or "American Catholic War Veterans" groups.
My point is that BSA uses its charter to stop others from forming competing scouting organizations.
The term "veteran" has a much more generic meaning in the context of organizations than the word "Scouts" does. The word "veteran" in an organization's name does not cause the different organizations to be confused with each other. And at the time the BSA was granted it's Federal charter, there was real confusion in the eyes of the public as to the identity and relationship of the competing organizations.
The BSA does not prevent other youth groups from forming organizations that use methods similar to the BSA. They do prevent them from using the word "Scout" in their name. Microsoft doesn't let you use their name in your company name, either, but they can't prevent you from writing and selling software.
O.K. So maybe that was a bad example, based on the legal record. But you get my point.
Yes, but there is also a Jewish veterans group, and so on.
The term "veteran" has a much more generic meaning in the context of organizations than the word "Scouts" does.
"Scouts" was a generic term, until the BSA decided to make it into its own. And, really, the idea that the YMCA cannot use the word "scout" in its literature... don't you agree that that is taking things too far? I can see a trademark on the name "boy scouts", but "scouts"?
The BSA does not prevent other youth groups from forming organizations that use methods similar to the BSA.
Do you at least agree that Congress should award competing organizations - one that admits nonbelievers, for example - their own charters? So, if a similar group were created using uniforms and medals (all different colors and designs) and a completely different name (like "cadets" for example), at least the gov't should award it a charter and give it the same access as the BSA enjoys (assuming the organization is just as responsible otherwise).
Note: Groups like the 4H Club and the Boys and Girls Club are not a good comparison. The BSA enjoys a special status, as they seem to be a pre-military boys organization.