"Don't complain about the snow on your neighbor's roof when your own doorstep is unclean." said Confucius over two millennia ago. Google it seems is not adhering to the wise quote from the classic Chinese thinker and philosopher.

Michael Gray has pointed out to a questionable tactic being employed by Google. Some of Google's partners who have implemented Google Checkout appear to get away quite comfortably without a nofollow on the PR8 links. Ideally all these folks should be meted out the same penalty that Google has been doling out to all the violators of its nofollow policy (Paid Link Policy made absolutely clear by Google!).

However, many have gotten used to "Don't practice what you preach" tactics by Google, see: Nofollow Links Manipulation By Google Video For Increasing Ranks

At the discussion forums some suggest the issue is a bit controversial as Google's checkout partners are not by definition "paid partners." However, finally they would be paying Google Checkout, till then it's party time for them. Some people also wonder whether it's an intentional move or not, as often happens with a big organization as Google, that communication issues sometimes crop up. What one department is up to, the other doesn't know until later.

The discussion continues at http://sphinn.com/story/21876