Taipei insists Apple, Google offer seven-day free trial for apps

In an unusual story coming out of Taiwan, the Taipei City Government is supposedly forcing local divisions of Apple and Google to provide a free seven-day trial for mobile applications. The Taipei Times claims the government is threatening to levy heavy fines, up to US$50,000 or more, if Apple does not comply with this order.

According to a senior official, Apple's current policy violates the Consumer Protection Act because it does not provide a way to easily return applications for a refund. The order was reportedly issued on the last day of the Computex 2011 conference and goes into effect in two weeks. Neither Apple nor Google have responded.

[Via TechEye]