BEIJING, Oct.13 — Arthur Levinson, a director at Apple Inc. and Google Inc., resigned from Google’s board, the Internet search leader announced Monday.

Levinson’s move averted a regulatory probe into overlapping directors in the two companies.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had been investigating whether Levinson’s double duty on the boards of both Google and Apple would lessen competition between the two companies.

Levinson’s serving on both boards had raised antitrust concerns at the FTC because the companies increasingly competed in the same markets.

“The investigation is over. This allows the companies to move on and do what they do best, which is to make better products,” said FTC Chairman Jonathan Leibowitz.

Two months ago, Google Chief Executive Officer Eric Schmidt stepped down from Apple’s board for the same issue.

Google and Apple have expanded into each other’s market over the past two years. Both companies offer mobile phone software and Internet browsers, and Google is developing an operating system for personal computers.

Google didn’t mention whether it will fill Levinson’s vacancy. Levinson’s resignation leaves Google with nine directors, including Eric Schmidt. 

On Xinhua Web site: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-10/13/content_12221897.htm