FTC investigates Google and Apple for anti-trust breach

Google and Apple are being investigated by the Federal Trade Commission over a possible breach of US anti-trust laws, according to reports.

The FTC is scrutinising the working relationship between the two companies, specifically the influence of Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Apple Corporate Director Arthur Levinson, both of whom sit on each other’s board.

Despite being competitors in some sectors, such as web browsers and digital photo software, Google and Apple have worked together on projects including iPhone Google apps.

The FTC is understood to be investigating the two companies under the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, which restricts a person being on the board of two companies in the same market if it means competition between them is reduced.

Last week the US Department of Justice said it was investigating Google’s recent $125m settlement with authors that will allow the search giant to make thousands of books available for free online.

This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk

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