Arthur Levinson stepped down yesterday from Google’s board of directors, prompting US regulators to end an inquiry into overlapping directors at the Internet search giant and Apple.

Levinson’s resignation, for which Google didn’t provide a reason, follows the recent resignation of Google Chairman and Chief Executive Eric Schmidt from Apple’s board, where Levinson remains a director.

The US Federal Trade Commission, which in May launched an inquiry into whether the two shared board members at Apple and Google could present opportunities for collusion, said yesterday it was ending its probe.

“It’s over and it’s time for everyone to move on,” said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz in an interview.

Earlier this month, Schmidt said that he didn’t step down from Apple’s board under pressure and that he saw no need for Levinson to resign from either company’s board. Levinson is also chairman at biotech giant Genentech, owned by Roche Holding AG.

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