During a meeting between the city government and Kenneth Carter, Google`s Android policy counsel from its U.S. headquarters, the two sides had a "full and extensive exchange of opinions" on the app row, the city government said in a statement.
Yeh Ching-yuan, director of the city`s Law and Regulation Commission, said Google has thoroughly understood Taiwan`s Consumer Protection Act and the rule of the seven-day trial period for online sales.
Given that next week is a long weekend in the United States, the city government decided to give Google until July 14 to consider the case and revise its standard contract of the Android Market app store to allow a seven-day trial, Yeh said.
Google spokeswoman Caroline Hsu told CNA by telephone that the company had a "pleasant" discussion with the Taipei City government in the afternoon, and it expects the dispute to be resolved soon.
However, Hsu noted that Google`s paid apps in Taiwan will still be suspended before the company settles the case.
On June 27, the Taipei City government fined Google NT$1 million (US$34,482) for violating Taiwan`s Consumer Protection Act, which stipulates that consumers are entitled to return products they have bought online within seven days and get refunds if they are dissatisfied or if the goods are faulty.
Google countered that its Android Market currently provides a 15-minute refund window for all paid apps, which reflects the fact that apps are delivered over-the-air instantly and most users who request a refund do so within minutes of their purchase.
Analysts said some Android apps, such as electronic books and music downloading programs, may actually require shorter trial periods to prevent people from seeking refunds after they have completely ripped the content.
(T.A045/H-AK)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
