The primary legal theory for honoring IOD registrations is the "pioneer's preference"
doctrine. IANA and ICANN have, either (1) directly or (2) indirectly through
inaction, encouraged people to register names through IOD. Therefore, IOD's
registrants should be rewarded for their efforts in developing and promoting alternative
gtlds in general, and .web in particular.
Consistent decisions are
certainly important for any governmental agency or regulatory body. This
idea is called "precedent" and "stare decisis" in the court system, and is also applicable
to some degree for non-judicial agencies. Therefore, there is some legal basis
for arguing that decisions made by IANA, and its successor ICANN, should be consistent.