User:Neo Te Aika/Audio Production Notes/Total Audio
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Total Audio (also known as Total Audio Studios and O'Donnell/Salvatori, Inc. is an audio production company founded by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori, and the business entity under which the two produced industry multimedia. Originally founded in 1982, the two would work together to provide audio production services for Bungie on Myth: The Fallen Lords, Myth II: Soulblighter, Oni and Halo: Combat Evolved.
While the "Total Audio branding" was largely discontinued as both Marty and Mike joined Bungie full time during the production of Destiny, the legal entity still actively continues as O'Donnell/Salvatori, Inc.
History
Early work with Bungie
Myth
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Oni
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Halo: Combat Evolved
Pre-Xbox Halo
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Xbox-era Halo
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Legal dispute over music ownership
Prior to Microsoft's acquisition of Bungie in 2000, the agreement between Total Audio and Bungie meant that the music created by the duo for Bungie products were licensed to Bungie, rather than outright owned under the manner typically associated with work for hire. This agreement served as a basis for a lawsuit by O'Donnell/Salvatori, Inc against Microsoft that came to light in 2022[1], partially regarding dispute of unpaid royalties for the use and derivative works of their music in Halo media since 343 Industries' continued oversight of the Halo franchise.
The outcome of the lawsuit awarded Microsoft the full ownership rights of the music composed for Halo by O'Donnell and Salvatori.[2]
Gallery
References
- ^ Eurogamer, Original Halo composers sue Microsoft over unpaid royalties dating back 20 years (Retrieved on Dec 15, 2023) [archive]
- ^ Eurogamer, Marty O'Donnell and Microsoft's Halo music lawsuit "amicably resolved" (Retrieved on Dec 15, 2023) [archive]