Colour and priority

An interesting OHIM invalidation case is reported in the latest Alicante News. The contested RCD was in colour. A cited RCD (monochrome but otherwise identical) was filed later but claimed an earlier priority - from a colour Chinese application.
On priority, OHIM found that the cite validly claimed priority since all elements were present within the priority document. On conflict with the cite, they found that the monochrome cite covered all colours. Thus, the RCD infringed the cite, and was invalid. They compare the case with their earlier decision (also reported in Alicante News) finding a colour design lacked priority from a monochrome priority application.
These decisions set up a complex legal pattern, given that (a) some countries don't allow colour any part in design registrations, and (b) some don't issue colour copies of priority documents. Nonetheless, if OHIM's analysis is correct (and I am not wholly convinced) then there are clear benefits to filing in monochrome except where the colour really does make a significant difference to the design.