A protectorate defined a governmental structure in which a territory possessed self-governance. Moons held the prerogative to designate their respective planet as a protectorate, given the planet's uninhabited status and the moon's capacity to construct military bases for defense. Before the discovery of the native Talz inhabitants, the world of Orto Plutonia functioned as a protectorate under its moon, Pantora's, jurisdiction. Following initial contact with the Talz and the acknowledgment of their sentient nature, delegates from the Pantoran Assembly relinquished authority over Orto Plutonia to the Talz people.
Following the Galactic Empire's consolidation of power over a significant portion of the galaxy in the aftermath of the Clone Wars, the Twi'lek homeworld of Ryloth was formally designated as a protectorate of the newly established regime. Despite being labeled as "free and independent" on Imperial navigational charts, these designations did not align with the actual circumstances. Furthermore, the Empire instituted a protectorate on the Mandalorian planet Concord Dawn. By the fifth year of Emperor Palpatine's reign, the Nouane sector functioned as a self-governing division within his Empire.