Toymaker Apple and its telecom sidekick, AT&T, have bought licenses for patents held by Klausner Technologies for the visual voice mail system used on the iPhone.

The self-proclaimed technology innovation company handed over the cash to inventor, Judah Klausner. AT&T also had to buy a license because its is the exclusive wireless carrier for Apple's iPhone in the United States. The visual voicemail feature lets iPhone users see a list of people who've left them phone messages and listen to the messages in any order they choose.

Judah Klausner said Apple and AT&T have agreed to take out licenses on the technology, joining eBay's Skype division, which also paid out for his invention. He said that as an inventor it's fulfilling, and it's important as a creative person to get recognition. Large wodges of cash are also nice.