Barclays have just come out with a coding language called Code Playground. You don't see it when you first go on it, but if you look closely at this video, you'll notice the program they're using bears a very striking resemblance to Scratch and uses all the same block categories and has all the broadcasting & wait blocks everywhere.

Is it meant to be like Scratch or is it a ripoff?

bump

Drag and drop languages are meant for kids to learn coding, so this program is like Scratch but not a ripoff. There are a lot more programs like Scratch, such as Hopscotch (iOS).

yeah, but this has the exact same categories.

It's just that the design looks practically the same to Scratch, and has every block on Scratch.

chrissaisanidiot wrote:

It's just that the design looks practically the same to Scratch, and has every block on Scratch.

we'd better report them, this is no coincidence to have every category in the same order and the same layout as scratch.

Barclays have practically everything these days. They've got their own credit cards, their own soccer league, their own life skills campaign and now a coding language.
But that's clearly based off Scratch. We could see MIT suing Barclays.

Code Playground looks more like a ripoff than Tynker. Also, do they give credit to MIT? If not, they should definitely be sued.

EDIT: They mention Scratch here.

EDIT: Oh, it looks like the entire site only has one URL, so that link should just take you to the main page. It`s hard to find, but they mention Scratch under “Further Learning.”

as lightnin once said, imitation is the greatest form of flattery, but talk about that unoriginal design. all they did was change the font and coloring and wuzzam.

9/10 inb4 lawsuit

Looks very similar yes but can you actually sue somebody for ripping off your open source program?

OMG, LOOK:

They have the same stuff!

Lawsuit time!

I tried going to the site but it crashed.

blatch cat is their mascot

Looks like a re-skinned version of Scratch.

Um… i went to their website, and it's (as far as i can tell) impossible to access that editor, so at least for the time being, no, i guess?

They don't have it on the website, but I've heard they go around doing workshops in the UK to teach kids with that programme.

See this Computing Weekly story - http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240238203/Barclays-bank-launches-kids-coding-site

That clearly states it is based on Scratch 1.4 and I'm guessing the Scratch Team are aware of this.

Get me the link!

deck26 wrote:

See this Computing Weekly story - http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240238203/Barclays-bank-launches-kids-coding-site

That clearly states it is based on Scratch 1.4 and I'm guessing the Scratch Team are aware of this.

I know, but it's kind of stealing as Barclays is claiming the program they use, Scratch 1.4, as theirs and using it for THEIR business.

chrissaisanidiot wrote:

deck26 wrote:

See this Computing Weekly story - http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240238203/Barclays-bank-launches-kids-coding-site

That clearly states it is based on Scratch 1.4 and I'm guessing the Scratch Team are aware of this.

I know, but it's kind of stealing as Barclays is claiming the program they use, Scratch 1.4, as theirs and using it for THEIR business.

Bump! Need answers

This is a bit of a copy, and a bit cheeky since they are trying to get you to bank with them at the same time. They do ask you to bring your own laptop, so I don't think they would put the download online. Talking about lawsuits if a bit over-the-top, however. Bear in mind that this is a English company, and England may have different copyright laws opposed to the US.