---
kind: "section"
citation: "47 U.S.C. § 765a"
title: "47"
title_heading: "Telecommunications"
number: "765a"
heading: "Signatory role"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/47/765a"
units:
  - "Chapter 6 — Communications Satellite System"
  - "Subchapter VI — Communications Competition and Privatization"
  - "Part C — Deregulation and Other Statutory Changes"
---

# §765a. Signatory role

- (a) **Limitations on signatories—**
  - (1) **National security limitations—** The Federal Communications [Commission](/usc/47/769.md?p=a-5), after a public interest determination, in consultation with the executive branch, may restrict foreign ownership of a [United States](/usc/47/38.md) signatory if the [Commission](/usc/47/769.md?p=a-5) determines that not to do so would constitute a threat to national security.
  - (2) **No signatories required—** The [United States](/usc/47/38.md) Government shall not require [signatories](/usc/47/769.md?p=a-3) to represent the [United States](/usc/47/38.md) in [INTELSAT](/usc/47/769.md?p=a-1) or [Inmarsat](/usc/47/769.md?p=a-2) or in any [successor entities](/usc/47/769.md?p=a-7) after a pro-competitive privatization is achieved consistent with sections [763](/usc/47/763.md), [763a](/usc/47/763a.md), and [763c](/usc/47/763c.md)[^1] of this title.
- (b) **Clarification of privileges and immunities of COMSAT—**
  - (1) **Generally not immunized—** Notwithstanding any other law or executive agreement, [COMSAT](/usc/47/769.md?p=a-18) shall not be entitled to any privileges or immunities under the laws of the [United States](/usc/47/38.md) or any [State](/usc/47/251a.md?p=c-4) on the basis of its status as a signatory of [INTELSAT](/usc/47/769.md?p=a-1) or [Inmarsat](/usc/47/769.md?p=a-2).
  - (2) **Limited immunity—** [COMSAT](/usc/47/769.md?p=a-18) or any successor in interest shall not be liable for action taken by it in carrying out the specific, written instruction of the [United States](/usc/47/38.md) issued in connection with its relationships and activities with foreign governments, international entities, and the intergovernmental satellite organizations.
  - (3) **No joint or several liability—** If [COMSAT](/usc/47/769.md?p=a-18) is found liable for any action taken in its status as a signatory or a representative of the [party](/usc/47/769.md?p=a-4) to [INTELSAT](/usc/47/769.md?p=a-1), any such liability shall be limited to the portion of the judgment that corresponds to [COMSAT](/usc/47/769.md?p=a-18)’s percentage of the ownership of [INTELSAT](/usc/47/769.md?p=a-1) at the time the activity began which lead to the liability.
  - (4) **Provisions prospective—** [Paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall not apply with respect to liability for any action taken by [COMSAT](/usc/47/769.md?p=a-18) before March 17, 2000.
- (c) **Parity of treatment—** Notwithstanding any other law or executive agreement, the [Commission](/usc/47/769.md?p=a-5) shall have the authority to impose similar regulatory fees on the [United States](/usc/47/38.md) signatory which it imposes on other entities providing similar services.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 87–624, title VI, § 642, as added Pub. L. 106–180, § 3, Mar. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 55.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Section 763c of this title, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), was amended generally by Pub. L. 109–34, § 3, July 12, 2005, 119 Stat. 377, and no longer relates to specific criteria for Inmarsat privatization.