Arbitrator orders Bungie to restore Halo composer's stock in the company

An arbitrator has issued a preliminary injunction against Bungie, ordering them to return founders' stock to composer Marty O'Donnell, Venturebeat reports.

O'Donnell was fired by Bungie's board of directors in April of this year. He joined Bungie in 2000 as audio director after working on Halo: Combat Evolved's score as a contractor, only to be brought on full time shortly thereafter. He is largely responsible for the soundtrack for the upcoming Bungie title, Destiny.

In July, Bungie was ordered by the same court to compensate O'Donnell for unpaid wages, a sum totaling more than $95,000. Now, an arbitrator has ordered them to return stock to O'Donnell, specifically 336,375 shares of B-1 Preferred Stock as well as 48,000 shares of common stock.

Bungie's lawyers "objected that if O'Donnell's shares were restored, he would be a 'bothersome presence at board meetings and in the company,'" Venturebeat reports. The arbitrator, retired Judge Sharon Armstrong, overruled them.

The value of the stock is unknown. Bungie retains the right to appeal the decision.