BT (News - Alert) Conferencing, a provider of audio, video and Web collaboration services, has signed a non-exclusive license agreement with Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P., a Los Angeles-based company engaged in the licensing business, for a comprehensive portfolio of patents that Katz owns relating to interactive voice applications.

The license agreement to cover BT Conferencing’s U.S. based operations was licensed through Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing’s affiliate, A2D, L.P. and the terms of the license were not disclosed.

The license purchased by BT Conferencing covers services offered in the United States in the “Group Conferencing” Field of Use, including customer services that are offered via automated systems and live agents.

According to Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P, its patent portfolio covers a wide range of interactive technology including automated forms of customer service, prescription refill services, securities trading, merchandising, prepaid services, telephone conferences, registration, and home shopping. The portfolio also includes functions for protecting information from databases by telephone, interactive cable transactions, and various other uses of toll free and local numbers.

BT is a provider of communications solutions and services in 170 countries and consists four lines of business: BT Global Services (News - Alert), Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale. The company offers services such as - provision of networked IT services; local, national and international telecommunications services for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and Internet products and services; and converged fixed/mobile products and services.

Ronald A. Katz, founder Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P, said, “We welcome BT Conferencing to the large number of leading telecommunications companies who have purchased license rights under this portfolio.”

Mr. Katz has a number of patents to his credit especially in the fields of telecommunications and computing. He also formed Telecredit, Inc., an on-line real time credit and check cashing authorization system.

According to Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P., there are more than 275 companies with license rights under this portfolio, including over 45 energy and utility companies. Some of the companies with license rights under this portfolio include: Alltel (News - Alert) Corporation, American Express, AT&T Inc., Avon Products, Inc., Bank of America Corporation, Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Continental Airlines, Dell Inc., Delta Air Lines, Inc., General Electric Company, Hewlett-Packard (News - Alert) Company, Hilton Hotels Corporation, ING North America Insurance Corp., International Business Machines (IBM), Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Qwest Communications International Inc., Sprint Corporation, T-Mobile USA, Verizon (News - Alert) California Inc., Wal-Mart Stores, Inc, Whirlpool Corporation, and more.