Disclaimer board member of Google for conflict

Google Inc. announced the resignation of a board member who also serves as a director at Apple Inc. in a move that eliminates a potential conflict of interest at a time when both companies are competing more directly.
Arthur Levinson, chairman of the biotechnology company Genentech Inc. and board member of Google since April 2004, resigned immediately. Google chief executive Eric Schmidt said Levinson has been a key part of Google's success in the past five years, "but gave no specific reasons for his resignation.
The announcement comes at a time when federal regulators carefully examine the ties between the two companies.
Schmidt resigned from his post on the board of Apple weeks ago, shortly after Google announced plans to give developing an operating system for computers that would compete with Apple's operating system, Mac OS. Google also produces software for mobile phones based in direct competition with the iPhone.

The increasing overlap of products of the two firms had made the Federal Trade Commission consider the dual role of Schmidt, concerned about the potential for cooperation that would reduce competition in the sector. After Schmidt resigned his seat on the board of Apple, the FTC said it would continue reviewing Levinson's ties with companies.
Google shares rose $ 8.03 to $ 524.28 by midday in the Stock Exchange in New York. Shares of Apple rose 29 cents to $ 190.76.