Brannigan's Law is one of the Democratic Order of Planets cornerstone policies. Apparently named after Zapp Brannigan, for unknown reasons, it forbids interference with undeveloped planets, and is otherwise known as Directive B10.81.

It does not apply to DOOP mining operations. In general, it seems that this law forbids helping these planets, but allows their utter exploitation. The Planet Express crew, particulary Turanga Leela, have broken the law by trying to save the animals of Vergon 6. [1ACV04]

Additional Info

Trivia

Brannigan's Law is most probably a comic reference to Star Trek 's Prime Directive.

's Prime Directive. Zapp Brannigan states that he does not try to understand the law, but merely enforces it. This is comical because the name implies the possibility he was involved in creating this law and therefore would have an understanding of it.

Alternatively the name Brannigan's law hints it had to be instated after an unknown incident involving Zapp Brannigan required it to be adopted to avoid another similar incident.

Quotes

Zapp Brannigan: Brannigan's Law is like Brannigan's love: hard and fast. Zapp Brannigan: I don't pretend to understand Brannigan's Law. I merely enforce it. Zapp Brannigan: April thirteenth... point two. We have failed to uphold Brannigan's Law. However, I did make it with a hot alien babe. And, in the end, is that not what man has dreamt of since first he looked up at the stars? [A few seconds pass.] Kif, I'm asking you a question!