Apple Forced To Offer 7-day Trial Period For Paid Apps In Taiwan

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Apple Forced To Offer 7-day Trial Period For Paid Apps In Taiwan

Earlier in the month, we heard reports that Apple and Google had been ordered by the Taiwanese government to offer a 7-day trial mechanism for apps in the App Store and Android Market as it violated Taiwan's Consumer Protection Act.

According to Indian publication, The Economic Times Apple has changed its App Store policy and has started offering paid apps in the App Store for a 7-day trial period in Taiwan, while Google was fined Tw$1,000,000 ($34,600) for refusing to change its policy.

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John

I think a trial period would be a great idea. I think more people will buy apps without feeling of risk, despite the low cost. I would bet revenue for developers would increase.

Eric

I agree, it would increase for good developers and get rid of the shitty ones.

Devohouse

I would love a trial. I'm tired of buying an app and finding out that it's crap.

Kiwiholden

It's a dumb idea there are too many ppl like me that play games flat out for a week then never play them again they would lose millions.But in saying that I think it should be added to all apps $10+

Abel

I would LOVE to see a variable trial period. Like, 24 hours or even less for games, but maybe 3 days for productivity apps.

Great idea

I've been burned more then once & would have happily paid more for some. I would also tend to be more willing to buy if I could cancel the purchase for something that did not do what it stated

Ted Mosby

There are many .99 to 3.99 apps on the  App Store that can be completely used up in a week. Games that could be beaten with little replay value, tons of gimmick apps whose novelty wears off within a few days, and many, many more. You could download a expensive navigation apps and use during a vacation and never use it again. Seven days free on every app out there would certainly cause many apps to lose sales. 

Hoser

I'd be happy with a 15 minute trial! It's easy to see that something won't work or isn't worth it. I'd even be willing to pay more for apps in general if I could preview them first.

Twinwin

If this is true, then I will be pulling my apps from the taiwan store. I offer Lite versions, that's my trial. Would not be happy about this. I think many other developers pulling out from the Taiwan store is a great idea to protest this horrid 7 day free trial period.

Aaronieru

Cry me a river, b****. I wish the US had such strict consumer protection laws. If only the US government cared more about its people than businesses...

Pacomac

I personally think Apple should pull the app store from Taiwan if they can't follow the rules. As a developer we get tons of charge backs already, and it would encourage people to pirate our hard earned work. Contrary to popular belief only a handfull of companies make a good living out of selling iOS software, many like myself would suffer from trial periods. There are always idiots prepared to slate your software for a refund no matter how good the software is!

Zang

I do agree, this is bullshit, they shouldn't have 7 day trials. All people should fight against that.A trial should be encouraged where developers can set if they want a trial, not forced into it.Think about talking tom for instance, 7 days usage for free? Or what about other mainly pointless gimmick apps, 7 days use, hell even 1-2 days use might destroy sales almost completely as I know I got bored after 2 days.... Let alone 7!Developers like me should all pull out of taiwan. 7 day free no matter what? I'm sorry... for small programs and apps, that don't work, hell even small games that don't have repay this would destroy sales, they might as well offer for free.

Wolverinemarky

i believe a 24 hour trial is all thats necessary nothing longer and if i was Apple i would do what google did and pull paid apps from taiwan store adn dont let them bend you over.

Twinwin

Ah yes, idiotic strict consumer laws. 7 day free trials for all blueray & DVD movies, console video games, and what the heck, lets throw in music CDs as well. This gives piraters time to easily steal a company's hard work without ever paying for it, and developers get destroyed financially due to a huge drop in sales...which will lead to a shrinking market place and poor economics. 7 days is simply too long for this kind of market and very bad for business.I suggest not taking up business or economics as a life choice. I fear you would fail horribly in life.

Guest

the CHINESE is such a FUCKING CHEAP ASS LOSERS! all they know is scam!

fas

I am going to Taiwan now.

Neogeo

Yeah this is crap. Apple should pull their app store from Taiwan.

me

That my friend is why here, in the land of plenty, Apple will never let that fly unless forced.

Chris

I think a half an hour trial period is enough. That way you would want to pay for the app after time ends. If it were 7 days, the user would probably have the chance to cover the entire app and move on to the next paid app for free. Half an hour is a good marketing strategy, 7 days it's just dumb.

ur papa

To "Guest" ,Before you open ur fuckin stinky mouth, educate urself u douche bag! china is china, taiwan is taiwan..

Hacker

windows phone 7 has a free trial that doesnt even expire but then again apple has some apps that have lite on the end that mean free trial as well but apple should have a trial for everything

otoro

Taiwanese here speaking,there are also approval and disapproval comments about this in Taiwan.like tv shopping and internet shopping, also suitable for this law, is to protect customer's rights, customers are always disadvantage groups in this kind of shopping.i can't tell if it's appropriate or not, some people might buy an app and get the refund just before 7-day trial, some may not.