Global Crossing has settled patent litigation proceedings and signed a licensing agreement with Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P. As part of the agreement, Global Crossing will purchase a nonexclusive license under a comprehensive portfolio of patents that Katz owns relating to interactive voice applications. The nonexclusive license covers services offered by Global Crossing in the Group Conferencing Field of Use including collaborative and conferencing services delivered through automated systems and live agents. Other terms of the license were not disclosed.
Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P. said the patents it holds cover a wide range of interactive technology including automated forms of: customer service, prescription refill services, securities trading, merchandising, prepaid services, telephone conferences, registration, home shopping, as well as functions involved in securing information from databases by telephone, interactive cable transactions, and various other uses of toll free and local numbers. The company noted over 275 companies with license rights under this portfolio, including over 45 energy and utility companies.
