1. A usu. rectangular piece of cloth, bunting, or other material decorated with a distinctive design and used as a symbol or signal.
2. Something symbolized by the display of a flag, such as a ship or nationality. See DUTY OF THE FLAG; LAW OF THE FLAG.
flag of convenience. Int’l law. A national flag flown by a ship not because the ship or its crew has an affiliation with the nation, but because the lax controls and modest fees and taxes imposed by that nation have attracted the owner to register it there. • After World War II, shipowners began registering their ships in countries such as Panama, Liberia, and Honduras to avoid expensive and restrictive national regulation of labor, safety, and other matters. Since the late 1950s, there has been increasing international pressure to require a “genuine link” between a ship and its flag state, but this reform has been slow in coming. — Abbr. FOC. [Cases: Shipping
2. C.J.S. Shipping § 1.]
flag of truce. Int’l law. A white flag used as a signal when one belligerent wishes to communicate with the other in the field. • The bearers of such a flag may not be fired on, injured, or taken prisoner, as long as they carry out their mission in good faith.
