Developers worried over Android Market returns policy

Google outlined its Android Market returns policy before the paid app system went live in North America last week, and one of the aspects of the return policy has raised serious concerns for developers.

The policy details a no quibbles money back offer for any application or game bought through the Market, so long as the claim is made within 24 hours of receipt and the app cost less than $10.

Apparently these returns don’t cost the developers, but already many are seeing sales withdrawn without any inclination as to why.

Moreover, concerns have been raised that once users catch on, the whole Market system could become a quick and free rental service with no real costs attached or money made.

Of course, from the users' point of view this removes the risk of buying what are essentially full priced applications and games, and it could easily be argued that it will encourage developers to put that much more effort into their apps to ensure users want to keep them.

It also means every game and application essentially comes with its own built in demo version, though it’s quite easy to see how this system could wind up being exploited if a hacking tool (such as the one used for iPhone applications) allowed unscrupulous users to access the entire Android software catalogue.