A California judge has overturned a $128 million award for punitive damages to the former stars and producers of the long-running Fox crime drama “Bones” in a clash over profits, delivering a major victory to Twentieth Century Fox Television.

The ruling, by Judge Richard E. Rico of Los Angeles County Superior Court, overturned a private arbitrator’s decision in February that Fox had pocketed tens of millions of dollars that should have gone to the “Bones” team. Judge Rico left in place a $50 million award for compensatory damages, interest and lawyers fees.

A Twentieth Century Fox Television spokesman welcomed the ruling. “We are pleased with the court’s decision to strike punitive damages from the award and vindicating our position,” he said.

The arbitrator’s decision to award such a huge sum highlighted a longstanding complaint among even highly paid Hollywood players that they are not adequately compensated for their work by studios, which have been criticized for what some consider questionable accounting practices.