On Monday Time Warner's AOL acquired Userplane, a developer of chat and instant-messaging software aiming to enhance its existing chat networks.

Userplane develops web-based chat software that it licenses to other websites who need the functionality. The company has over 100,000 customers that it farnered since 2001, most notable of which include Myspace.com, Date.com,, and Honda.

AOL plans to integrate those various chat communities into its own system, and unite those users with its own pool of AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and ICQ users.

We are extremely pleased to welcome Userplane's entrepreneurial leaders and talented technologists to AOL, Ted Leonsis, AOL Audience Business president, said in a statement. We look forward to offering optional federation to Userplane communities with our global network of 83 million AOL, AIM and ICQ users.

The acquisition is one of many moves the AOL has taken to expand its AIM and ICQ reach. The company opened up its AIM software development kit to the Linux and Mac communities, as well as Pocket PC developers. It has also entered a strategic alliance with Google Inc., allowing Google Chat users to communicate with its AIM members.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, however it was stated that Userplane continue to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL,

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