Google has suspended paid applications for users in Taiwan, as a result of a NT$1 million (US$345,500) fine for failing to offer Taiwanese consumers a seven-day free-trial. While Google sticks to their strict 15 minute return window, the laws of Taiwan state that all goods purchased over the Internet come with a free trial period of at least seven days because consumers cannot feel or touch the goods before purchase. Until recently, appstores were not specifically included under this law, because application purchasing in Taiwan is a very recent trend. On June 4, the Taiwanese government gave both Google and Apple 15 days to comply with this law. Apple complied, Google didn't.
But in the end, this will only be a temporary set-back, as Google is sending company officials to Taipei on Thursday to continue talks over the matter -- a move that may likely cost Google even more penalties. Governments and giant corporations have money to burn, but most consumers do not -- so let's hope a working solution can be found soon.
Source: Taipei Times via: Android Police
