• Reuters, Tuesday, August 4, 2009 2:10 PM

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission said it would continue to investigate the relationship between the boards of Apple and Google, even after Google CEO Eric Schmidt announced he was stepping down from Apple's board on Monday. Richard Feinstein, director of the FTC's bureau of competition, commended the companies for recognizing that sharing directors raises competitive issues, but said that the organization would continue to investigate the "remaining interlocking directorates between the companies."

Specifically, this refers to former Genentech CEO Arthur Levinson, who remains a director of both companies. Consumer Watchdog, a consumer rights group, recently criticized Schmidt for taking too long to leave Apple's board, and called on Levinson to choose between Apple and Google. "Nonetheless, we're glad Schmidt finally did the right thing," Consumer Watchdog said in a statement. "We call on Levinson to act responsibly and choose one company or the other."

David Turetsky, a former deputy assistant attorney general for antitrust under the Clinton administration, told Reuters that Levinson's dual position could be why the FTC is leaving the probe open. "As the convergence of their two businesses happens, it is no doubt hard to have overlapping directors," said Turetsky.

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