47 U.S.C. § 765a — Signatory role

(a)(1) After deciding that it serves the public interest and consulting the executive branch, the Federal Communications Commission^* may restrict foreign ownership of a United States signatory if it decides that leaving the ownership unrestricted would threaten national security.

(2) After a pro-competitive privatization consistent with sections 763, 763a, and 763c of this title, the United States Government may not require signatories^* to represent the United States in INTELSAT^*, Inmarsat^*, or a successor entity^*.

(b)(1) Despite another law or executive agreement, COMSAT^* is not entitled to privileges or immunities under United States or State law merely because it is an INTELSAT or Inmarsat signatory.

(2) COMSAT or its successor in interest is not liable for an action it takes while carrying out a specific written instruction from the United States connected with its relationships and activities involving foreign governments, international entities, or the intergovernmental satellite organizations.

(3) If COMSAT is liable for an action taken as an INTELSAT signatory or representative of an INTELSAT party^*, its liability is limited to the part of the judgment matching COMSAT’s percentage ownership of INTELSAT when the activity that led to the liability began.

(4) Paragraph (1) does not apply to liability for an action COMSAT took before March 17, 2000.

(c) Despite another law or executive agreement, the Commission may impose on the United States signatory regulatory fees similar to those it imposes on other entities providing similar services.