The legal issues don’t stop: Static-X starts a lawsuit against Matt Zane

Together, Static-X, current vocalist/manager Edsel Dope, and bassist/vocalist Tony Campos have sued Matt Zane, as per theprp. On August 20, 2026, the lawsuit was submitted to a California court. This lawsuit comes after a contentious disagreement between Zane and the band’s camp regarding a documentary Zane has been working on about the last years of the life of former Static-X guitarist and vocalist Wayne Static and his wife Tera Wray. Zane has frequently claimed that the couple urged him to carry out their wishes by producing the documentary about them, even though they have since passed away. It is known that Zane was working for Static-X’s crew on an impending officially sanctioned documentary called “Evil Disco” before the two groups clashed.

Zane’s choice to pursue his own documentary on the couple, which he has said was previously agreed upon, caused a rift in his relationship with the band’s camp. Due to his intentions to perhaps include Wayne’s unreleased music in the documentary, Zane would later get cease and desists from the estates of Static and Wray. He tried to raise money for his documentary through crowdfunding, but not much was raised. Zane, who has previously discussed the controversy surrounding the project in detail, would then declare that he was financing it himself. Since Zane posted videos of Edsel and further sporting commentary that seemed to be disparaging of Wayne and Tera on social media, tensions between the parties have increased.

Zane has been maliciously posting unauthorized video segments that he stole directly from the copyrighted audiovisual recordings of the Evil Disco Static-X documentary, using deliberate and deceptive editing techniques to exploit those private clips outside of important context with the deliberate intent to do harm. – from the lawsuit

Additionally, he is accused by the band of “publicising private information” concerning Edsel Dope and his family. Additionally, they claim that Zane “unlawfully accessed and published his rhetoric on the official Static-X account on X.” Additionally, the band’s camp claims that Zane was paid more than $75,000 by the band’s LLC for his work on the “Evil Disco” documentary and other related projects.

Zane stole other Static-X data and items, potentially including copies of band members’ private email messages.

According to the band’s complaint, Zane broke California Penal Code Section 502(c), which deals with data theft, unauthorised computer access, and other offences. Additionally, they claim that Zane broke California Penal Code Section 528.5, which deals with online impersonating. This allegation is related to Zane’s purported access to the Static-X X account on August 5, 2026. In addition, the band has filed charges of violating a “valid and enforceable unwritten contract between Static-X LLC and Zane” over that documentary and their previous collaboration, as well as copyright infringement with the dissemination of uncut material from “Evil Disco.” Regarding the handling of video and other private information that belonged to the band’s camp, a claim of breach of confidence has also been made.

Additionally, the Static-X team has filed a claim for invasion of privacy and false light. In response to video from the uncut “Evil Disco” documentary that Zane allegedly released, the band claims that it was “misleadingly edited” and “intentionally removed from necessary context” in order to present Edsel Dope and Tony Campos in an unfavourable light. Due to Zane’s actions, the band’s camp claims to have suffered damages exceeding $250,000. In order to prevent Zane from using the band’s copyrighted materials going forward, the band is requesting a permanent injunction against him.

In connection with that allegation, they are also requesting damages for copyright infringement and the profits of the defendants. In addition, more than $1 million in general, special, punitive, and exemplary damages are being sought, along with legal fees and any other relief the court determines is required. A copy of the complaint is available here. It surfaced through this Reddit post that was uploaded today, September 3, by someone who is allegedly professionally connected to the band’s camp. Pacermonitor.com provides ongoing updates on the court case.