Charlie Schmidt, one of Spokane's most viral artists, got a nice little early present from Google this year.

The search giant and software company used Schmidt's legendary web-craze Keyboard Cat in an online promo for the JAM app used with the Google Chrome browser.  See that promo at the link here. The app lets people from different computers play music together.

We didn't ask how much Google paid him to use the cat and cat tune in the promo. It's probably a decent figure.

Spokesman.com reporter Tom Sowa wrote about Charlie Schmidt's continuing effort to patrol the web and find offenders who use Keyboard Cat without compensation to him. Here's that story.

We can't quite call Spokane performing and visual artist Charlie Schmidt by any other name.

He's Charlie, always has, always will.

So it was odd seeing Bloomberg pick up a story on last week's announced settlement between Schmidt and a Chicago company, which made T-shirts under the Threadless brand.

Here's the Bloomberg language, with the very serious reference to Mr. C. Schmidt.

Keyboard Cat’ Video Maker, Clothing Company Settle Dispute

The maker of the “Keyboard Cat” video that has been viewed almost 26 million times on Google Inc.’s YouTube video- sharing website settled a copyright infringement suit against a Chicago-based clothing maker.

Charles Schmidt of Spokane, Wash, sued SkinnyCorp LLC’s Threadless unit in June 2011 for putting images of the keyboard cat on T-shirts and cases for Apple Inc.’s iPhones without authorization.

Schmidt said in his filing that he has licensed the images and sections of the video to companies including Microsoft Corp., PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Nokia Oyj. The video is also being used to promote pistachio nuts, according to court papers.

Today's SR had a story on two artists, Charlie Schmidt and Ken Spiering, who have an active campaign to  hunt down online infringers of their copyrights. Schmidt protects his well-known Keyboard Cat image and video; Spiering his well-regarded Riverfront Park interactive sculpture — properly referred to as “Childhood Express.”

You can get interactive with Charlie this Friday during the August First Friday activities.

He's doing an interactive art event at Cup of Cool Water, a nonprofit business that helps teens get jobs and earn incomes. It's at 1106 W. Second. And the Facebook page for the event is here.

SR writer Chelsea Bannach wrote about the business, which helps train young people how to work on bikes.

The FFF (First Friday flyer) describes Schmidt's gig this way: 
Cup of Cool Water Interactive Opening! There will be large canvases being painted at the show. Grab a spray can or marker (provided) and join in the fun! Live music and eats. Charlie Schmidt will tag full blast with partner Stow Miller and show a few of his Keyboard Cat paintings. Don’t miss it. Proceeds go to helping Spokane’s homeless youth.