Google CEO won’t resign from Apple board

The Federal Trade Commission is reportedly investigating Apple and Google regarding a breach of antitrust laws on account of executives from each company holding positions on the board of the other.

Google CEO Eric Schmidt (and Apple board member) has been playing down the issue to the media and to shareholders, stating that despite that both companies operate mobile application stores, provide web browsers and develop mobile phone operating systems “From my perspective I don't think Google sees Apple as a primary competitor.”

Speaking on behalf of the federation of labour organisations at Google’s annual meeting, shareholder Brandon Rees openly disagreed with Schmidt’s decision to retain his position on both company’s boards, saying:

“There is nothing to gain and a lot to lose. We don't want Google to become an antitrust devil like Microsoft did.”

Schmidt replied that there was no comparison between Google's behaviour and Microsoft's activities during the 1990s.

[source: Business Week]