Static-X, bassist/vocalist Tony Campos, and current vocalist/manager Edsel Dope have filed a lawsuit against Matt Zane, escalating the long-running dispute surrounding Zane’s documentary work involving late Static-X frontman Wayne Static and his wife, Tera Wray.
The lawsuit was filed on August 20, 2026, in California and includes claims of copyright infringement, false light/invasion of privacy, breach of contract, breach of confidence, and alleged violations of California law concerning unauthorized access to computer systems and online impersonation.
The legal action stems from an increasingly contentious dispute over two separate documentary projects. Zane had previously been working with the Static-X camp on the officially sanctioned documentary “Evil Disco,” which focuses on the band. At the same time, Zane has been pursuing his own documentary concerning the final years of Wayne Static and Tera Wray, both of whom have since passed away.
Zane has repeatedly maintained that Wayne and Tera had asked him to make that documentary and that doing so was consistent with their wishes. The Static-X camp, however, has disputed his handling of the project and his use of material connected to the band.
The dispute intensified after Zane allegedly sought to include previously unreleased Wayne Static music in his documentary. He subsequently received cease-and-desist notices from the estates of Static and Wray. Zane also attempted to crowdfund the project, though that effort reportedly generated limited funding, before announcing that he would instead finance the documentary himself.
Zane has previously spoken publicly at length about the dispute and his version of events.
More recently, tensions escalated after Zane shared various clips on social media involving Edsel Dope and others, with the Static-X camp arguing that some of the material presented Wayne and Tera in an unflattering manner.
According to the newly filed complaint, Zane allegedly obtained and shared footage from “Evil Disco” without authorization.
The complaint alleges that Zane was:
“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.”
The plaintiffs further accuse Zane of allegedly publicizing private information concerning Edsel Dope and his family, as well as gaining unauthorized access to the official Static-X account on X.
The complaint specifically alleges that Zane “unlawfully accessed and published his rhetoric on the official Static-X account on X.” The band claims that access occurred on August 5, 2026 and has included a claim under California Penal Code § 528.5, which concerns online impersonation and related conduct.
Another claim invokes California Penal Code § 502(c), with the complaint alleging unauthorized access to computer systems and data theft. The plaintiffs further allege that Zane took other Static-X data and materials, potentially including copies of private emails belonging to band members.
The lawsuit also addresses Zane’s previous work with the band. According to the complaint, Static-X LLC paid Zane more than $75,000 for his work on “Evil Disco” and other associated projects, which the plaintiffs argue constituted fair compensation.
The band additionally alleges that Zane breached a “valid and enforceable unwritten contract” between himself and Static-X LLC concerning the documentary and their broader working relationship. A separate breach-of-confidence claim concerns his alleged handling and publication of footage and other private material.
The false light claim centers on the alleged release of unedited “Evil Disco” footage. The plaintiffs contend that Zane edited the material in a “misleading” manner and intentionally removed relevant context, thereby portraying Edsel Dope and Tony Campos in a false light.
The plaintiffs claim to have suffered more than $250,000 in damages as a result of Zane’s alleged conduct.
Among the remedies being sought are a permanent injunction preventing Zane from further using Static-X’s copyrighted material, damages related to the alleged copyright infringement, and any profits defendants may have received from the allegedly infringing activity.
The lawsuit also seeks more than $1 million in general, special, punitive and exemplary damages, along with legal fees and additional relief the court may deem appropriate.
As this is a newly filed complaint, the allegations contained within it have not been proven in court, and Zane will have an opportunity to respond to the claims.
A copy of the complaint is available through the source provided in the original report, while further updates on the case can be tracked through the court docket.
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