AOL has acquired Userplane of Los Angeles, a community-networking software developer of web-based chat and instant messaging tools used by social networking and dating websites, blogs, and niche communities.

The agreement between Userplane and AOL was signed on July 28 and closed last week. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founded in 2001, Userplane has licensed its chat technology to more than 100,000 websites and online communities in more than 25 countries. Its customers include MySpace.com, Honda, Date.com, Spark, IGN, Tagged, Red Bull and Marvel Comics.

"Userplane will expand and extend the reach and relevance of the AOL instant messaging franchise, while continuing to provide social networking audiences and specialized communities with brandable clients tailored to meet their needs," said Ted Leonsis, vice-chairman and president of AOL Audience Business, in a statement.

Userplane users spend an average of at least 20 minutes engaged in the Userplane "experience" per visit, allowing Userplane to provide rich advertising space, including streaming audio and video, according to the company. Advertisers can target their audience based on user profiles and demographics, among them the trend-setting and early-adopting 18-35 demographic.

Userplane will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL, and its 12 employees will continue to be based in the Los Angeles area. Userplane is AOL's third announced acquisition of 2006, following Lightningcast in May and Truveo in January. Others include Music Now, Weblogs Inc., Xdrive and Wildseed in 2005.