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Two men who operated the popular SmoothStreams (SSTV) IPTV service are now behind bars after a lengthy legal battle with entertainment companies.
Marshall Macciacchera and his father Antonio were both sentenced to prison for contempt of court following their refusal to comply with court orders.
SmoothStreams was once considered one of the most reliable pirate IPTV providers before being shut down over three years ago.
The IPTV service offered thousands of live TV channels and on-demand content without proper licensing agreements.
Entertainment Giants Unite Against Piracy
A massive coalition of entertainment companies launched the legal assault against the Macciaccheras in June 2022. The group included Bell Media, Rogers Media, Disney, Paramount, Columbia, Warner Bros., and Universal Studios.
The plaintiffs accused the father-son duo of operating multiple illegal streaming platforms beyond SmoothStreams, including live247.tv, StreamTVNow.tv, and StarStreams.tv. Court documents revealed these services generated substantial revenue while violating copyright laws.
Court Orders Ignored, Consequences Follow
The entertainment companies obtained an Anton Piller order allowing them to search properties and secure evidence. This type of court order carries serious penalties for non-compliance, including potential jail time.
Both men failed to fully comply with the court’s demands. They refused to provide financial information, answer questions about assets, and hand over login credentials for various accounts and devices. This defiance led to contempt of court charges in July 2022.
Heavy Financial Penalties Imposed
Antonio faced the first contempt proceeding in summer 2023, resulting in a CAD$95,000 fine to cover the plaintiffs’ legal costs. Marshall’s case proved more complex, involving a four-day hearing and multiple court submissions through January 2024.
The court found Marshall and three affiliated companies guilty of contempt. They were ordered to pay CAD$375,312.93 in legal costs, making them jointly responsible for the substantial sum.
Prison Sentences Handed Down
The entertainment companies pushed for six-month prison terms for both men, continuing until they provided the requested information. Marshall and Antonio proposed much lighter sentences, but the court sided with the plaintiffs.
Marshall received an initial six-month sentence with the possibility of up to five years if he continues refusing to comply. Antonio got a four-month initial term with the same maximum extension option.
Final Thoughts
This case represents a significant victory for entertainment companies and law enforcement in their ongoing battle against piracy.
However, shutting down SmoothStreams barely scratches the surface of a much larger problem.
Hundreds of other IPTV services continue operating across the globe, making this more of a symbolic win than a decisive blow to the industry.
After further research, something else we found interesting is that SmoothStreams X profile reposted the ACE/MPA shutdown news. We also agree with the individual who replied.
For more information on this story refer to the court documentation and the report from TorrentFreak.
We want to know your thoughts. What do you think about this story? Let us know in the comment section below!
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