Two men from Ontario, Canada, have been sentenced to five years in prison for contempt of court related to their alleged involvement in a large-scale digital streaming operation of copyrighted movies and television shows. Antonio Macciacchera, 73, from Woodbridge, and his son, Marshall Macciacchera, 49, from Barrie, face this sentence unless they comply with court orders to disclose passwords and account information.

The case centers around a bootleg streaming service known as Smoothstreams, which reportedly operated globally since at least 2018. Major entertainment companies, including Disney, Warner Bros., and Paramount Pictures, have pursued the Macciaccheras for years, alleging that their service generated over $1.5 million in revenue from approximately 2.5 million visits in 2021 alone. The service provided subscribers with access to a wide range of movies, TV shows, and live sports at low prices, as the content was not licensed.

The legal battle began in June 2022 when the media companies sought court orders to shut down Smoothstreams. A judge granted injunctions and issued Anton Piller orders, which allow for the search and seizure of evidence without prior notice to the target. On July 14, 2022, investigators arrived at the Macciaccheras' homes to execute these orders. Antonio Macciacchera reportedly refused to cooperate, stating he did not want to hear about legal matters. Meanwhile, Marshall allowed investigators into his home but was not fully cooperative.

During the raid, officials discovered numerous servers and television receivers linked to the Smoothstreams operation. Despite the seizure of equipment, the Macciaccheras continued to defy court orders, leading to their contempt charges. Antonio claimed that privacy concerns regarding joint bank accounts with his wife prevented him from complying with the court's demands. He was found guilty of civil contempt in 2023.

Marshall faced similar accusations, with the court hearing that he concealed evidence and refused to answer questions about unauthorized streams that remained online. Both men were ordered to pay substantial legal fees to the media companies, which they have yet to fulfill.

In February 2024, the media companies requested that the court seize the Macciaccheras' passports due to concerns they might flee the country. The court agreed, citing Marshall's long-term ties to Thailand and Antonio's connections to Italy. During their sentencing hearing, both men acknowledged they deserved jail time but expected lighter sentences.

Chief Justice Paul Crampton, who presided over the case, expressed frustration with the Macciaccheras' continued defiance. He emphasized that their actions undermined the court's authority and the rule of law. As a result, Marshall was sentenced to an initial six months in jail, followed by a five-year term, while Antonio received a four-month sentence, also leading into a five-year term, contingent on compliance with court orders.