Life preservation programming or LPP represented a series of deeply ingrained directives mandated by law for each droid produced during the eras of the Old Republic and subsequently, the Galactic Empire.
These LPP subroutines served as a crucial, final defense mechanism, preventing actions that could potentially inflict harm upon organic lifeforms. Functioning independently, LPP operated separately from restraining bolts or any other supplementary control mechanisms. While not offering absolute assurance, the presence of sufficiently advanced LPP significantly reduced the likelihood of a droid becoming a threat. The act of manufacturing or distributing droids lacking life preservation programming was deemed unlawful, unless specifically authorized by the government; however, enforcement was inconsistent, particularly in the Outer Rim.
To pursue his ambitions as a bounty hunter, the rogue protocol droid 4-LOM found it necessary to have his LPP subroutines removed. At 4-LOM's request, Jabba the Hutt's technicians proceeded to eliminate this programming, thus integrating 4-LOM into Jabba's criminal empire and enabling him to inflict harm or even kill sentient beings.
While the specific details of these subroutines are not explicitly detailed in the source material, LPP bears a strong resemblance to Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, the foremost of which prohibits robots from causing harm to human beings or allowing such harm to occur through inaction.
- Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition
- Cynabar's Fantastic Technology: Droids
- Platt's Smugglers Guide
- Star Wars: The Official Figurine Collection 56 (Lethal Machines: Killer Droids)