47 USC § 765a - Signatory role | Title 47 - Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs | U.S. Code

USCPrelim is a preliminary release and may be subject to further revision before it is released again as a final version.

Current through Pub. L. 113-99. (See Public Laws for the current Congress.)

(a) Limitations on signatories

(1) National security limitations

The Federal Communications Commission, after a public interest determination, in consultation with the executive branch, may restrict foreign ownership of a United States signatory if the Commission determines that not to do so would constitute a threat to national security.

(2) No signatories required

The United States Government shall not require signatories to represent the United States in INTELSAT or Inmarsat or in any successor entities after a pro-competitive privatization is achieved consistent with sections 763, 763a, and 763c ^[1] of this title.

(b) Clarification of privileges and immunities of COMSAT

(1) Generally not immunized

Notwithstanding any other law or executive agreement, COMSAT shall not be entitled to any privileges or immunities under the laws of the United States or any State on the basis of its status as a signatory of INTELSAT or Inmarsat.

(2) Limited immunity

COMSAT 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 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 is found liable for any action taken in its status as a signatory or a representative of the party to INTELSAT, any such liability shall be limited to the portion of the judgment that corresponds to COMSAT’s percentage of the ownership of INTELSAT at the time the activity began which lead to the liability.

(4) Provisions prospective

Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to liability for any action taken by COMSAT before March 17, 2000.

(c) Parity of treatment

Notwithstanding any other law or executive agreement, the Commission shall have the authority to impose similar regulatory fees on the United States signatory which it imposes on other entities providing similar services.

[1] See References in Text note below.

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(a) Limitations on signatories

(1) National security limitations

The Federal Communications Commission, after a public interest determination, in consultation with the executive branch, may restrict foreign ownership of a United States signatory if the Commission determines that not to do so would constitute a threat to national security.

(2) No signatories required

The United States Government shall not require signatories to represent the United States in INTELSAT or Inmarsat or in any successor entities after a pro-competitive privatization is achieved consistent with sections 763, 763a, and 763c ^[1] of this title.

(b) Clarification of privileges and immunities of COMSAT

(1) Generally not immunized

Notwithstanding any other law or executive agreement, COMSAT shall not be entitled to any privileges or immunities under the laws of the United States or any State on the basis of its status as a signatory of INTELSAT or Inmarsat.

(2) Limited immunity

COMSAT 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 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 is found liable for any action taken in its status as a signatory or a representative of the party to INTELSAT, any such liability shall be limited to the portion of the judgment that corresponds to COMSAT’s percentage of the ownership of INTELSAT at the time the activity began which lead to the liability.

(4) Provisions prospective

Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to liability for any action taken by COMSAT before March 17, 2000.

(c) Parity of treatment

Notwithstanding any other law or executive agreement, the Commission shall have the authority to impose similar regulatory fees on the United States signatory which it imposes on other entities providing similar services.

[1] See References in Text note below.

Source

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

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.

The table below lists the classification updates, since Jan. 3, 2012, for this section. Updates to a broader range of sections may be found at the update page for containing chapter, title, etc.

The most recent Classification Table update that we have noticed was Friday, May 3, 2013

An empty table indicates that we see no relevant changes listed in the classification tables. If you suspect that our system may be missing something, please double-check with the Office of the Law Revision Counsel.

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"nt [tbl]" means note [table].
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"omitted" means the section is omitted.
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"nt ed change" and "ed change" - See the Editorial Classification Change Table [pdf].

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General Reference

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47 USC	Description of Change	Session Year	Public Law	Statutes at Large

47 USC § 765a - Signatory role

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