Recently asked by one of the readers on his blog about the legal and ethical ramifications of checking out Gaiman’s ‘Anasi Boys’ audiobook from their local library and transferring it to their iPod nano, Gaiman’s response was refreshingly realistic and logical.

What a wonderful ethical question. I feel almost rabbinical pondering it. No, I don’t believe you’ve broken any law. If you’d checked out the MP3 CD from your library you’d be expected to put it onto your iPod, after all. There’s a weird sort of ethical fogginess, in that I suspect that part of the idea of libraries is that when you’re done with something you return it, and of course once you have your MP3 on your computer and iPod you can keep it forever. But I think this is just one of those places where changes in technology move faster than the rules.

Gaiman also gives his approval for fans to post their video recordings of his public appearances and signings online earlier in the entry. A refreshing change of pace from the paranoia and insanity of certain other creators.

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