Levinson leaves Google's board, stays on Apple's

Google said Monday that a board member who also serves as a director for computer maker Apple is stepping down, removing a potential conflict of interest as the two companies look to compete more directly. Arthur Levinson, chairman of the biotech company Genentech and a Google board member since April 2004, resigned effective immediately. The growing overlap in Google's and Apple's products had spurred the Federal Trade Commission to look into Schmidt's duel role, concerned about the potential for the two companies to cooperate in a way that would reduce competition. After Schmidt stepped down from Apple's board in August, the FTC said it would continue to examine Levinson's ties at the companies.