Google loses appeal in Taiwan over app refund

Taiwan said Friday it had rejected an appeal by Google against a fine imposed on the US Internet giant for refusing to grant customers a seven-day trial period on its mobile phone apps.

The Taipei City government, which levied the fine of Tw$1 million ($33,000) in mid-2011, said the economics ministry had ruled in its favour.

"We urge Google to respect Taiwan's laws and the rights of our consumers to resume sales of its Android Market paid apps," it said in a statement.

Taiwan's consumer protection law stipulates that consumers are entitled to a seven-day trial period after purchasing products online, including mobile phone software applications.

The capital city's government last year said that Google and Apple had violated the law and ordered them to amend its trading rules. Apple later complied with the law but Google did not, it said.

Under the terms of service for Googles Android Market, consumers are entitled to a refund only within 15 minutes of purchasing a product online.

Google has suspended the sale of its paid apps in Taiwan since the dispute.

Google Taiwan's officials were not immediately available for comment.