Leaked document says EU fears Obama backs 'three strikes' for Net pirates

Controversy over the secret global agreement on copyrights and counterfeiting being pushed by the United States erupted Monday after a leaked European Union document emerged suggesting the U.S. is pushing other nations to adopt a draconian global uniform policy. If established, the treaty could involve re-writing the law in many countries -- including the U.S. -- to include a "three strikes" policy similar to one recently passed in France, as well as possibly even jail time -- yes, jail time -- for Internet pirates.

President Barack Obama used an executive order last spring to keep the negotiations secret on "national security" grounds, but for the last severalweeks, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, as it's called, has elicited growing cries of alarm.