AOL fails to block out IM rivals

NEWS Instant messaging company PayTalk has got around AOL's barricades and regained access to the internet giant's AIM network. PayTalk uses privately developed IM software to keep its three million registered users talking and has recently promoted an upgraded version that enables users to connect to AOL's IM system (AIM). However, AOL shut the audio and video-focused IM operator out of its system on Wednesday as part of its ongoing battle to keep its service private. PayTalk broke the silence eight hours into the lock-out after reconfiguring its software to get around the interoperability block. One quarter of PayTalk's users are now chatting on the upgraded IM system. AOL has been attempting to keep another IM minnow, Trillion, out of its domain over recent weeks. AOL has also had to battle MSN Messenger and Yahoo Instant Messenger.