Error in Patent Drawing: What next? 22 May 2026 In the haste and scramble to draft a patent specification and file it quickly to secure a filing date with the patent office, it is not uncommon to find out much later, that in fact, there has been an error in the documents submitted. Are there solutions, and if so, any repercussions? Let us consider the situation where an Applicant inadvertently submitted duplicate figures in the drawings, and omitted a figure. For example, the application contained two identical drawings — FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 — even though the description made clear that FIG. 2 was meant to show something different. Here are two possible options available to the Applicant: Replace FIG. 2 with the correct figure via a correction or amendment, or Leave FIG. 2 as is Replacement of Drawings There are two ways to replace the drawings: Voluntary Amendment Voluntary Amendments can generally be filed before requesting search and/or examination. During Examination, the Examiner will typically check that the amendment does not add matter beyond the application as filed. In order to provide support for the replacement figure, the Applicant should indicate clearly the basis of the amendment, and where it may be found in the originally filed specification. Correction Corrections may be filed at any time. If the replacement drawing is to be effected via a correction, the Registrar must be satisfied that the correction of the error is obvious in the sense that it is immediately evident that nothing else would have been intended than what is offered as the correction. An explanation on how a correction to the error would appear to be obvious will be required. The allowance of such corrections is at the discretion of the Registrar. While it is not a statutory requirement under a correction request, it is generally advisable to also ensure that in filing the correction request, the specification does not disclose additional matter beyond what was filed. This could be critical, when for example, the correction request is accepted by the Registrar/Examiner and the application eventually proceeds to grant. A third party could initiate revocation proceedings if the corrected replacement Figure discloses additional matter beyond what was filed. If a patent is eventually granted, the patent may still be challenged during revocation proceedings under Section 80(1) (e), in that an amendment or correction has been made to the specification which should not have been allowed. The fact that the Examiner or Registrar allowed such amendment or correction does not prevent a third party from challenging that the amendment or correction should not have been allowed. For instance, the third party could submit that correction of the error was not obvious or that the amendment to the drawing introduces additional matter that is not disclosed in the application as filed. Moreover, the patent could also be challenged under Section 80 (1)(d)(i), in that the matter disclosed in the specification of the patent extends beyond that disclosed in the application for the patent as filed. Leaving the drawings, as they are The Applicant may also decide to leave the drawings, as they are. If such an option is chosen, there may be a likelihood that during the course of Examination, the Examiner raises a clarity or enablement objection. For instance, if the claims refer to an embodiment that is illustrated by the “missing figure”, that could give rise to such an objection. Even if the patent is eventually allowed to grant, a third party could still initiate proceedings under Section 80(1)(c) of the Singapore Patents Act, in that the specification of the patent does not disclose the invention clearly and completely for it to be performed by a person skilled in the art. Final thoughts Seemingly small errors can have large downstream implications in patent examination and enforcement. It is best to check the specification to ensure that everything is in order before filing the application at the Registry. If there is an error in the document submitted, such as a missing figure, consider whether it is feasible to submit a replacement figure via a correction or amendment. Generally, where possible, it would be advisable to effect the changes pre-grant. While it may still be possible to file post-grant amendments, there are more restrictions in allowing post-grant amendments. Finally, if the patent is a part of a family of patents, it is important to make a decision as a whole, considering each countries’ laws, as different countries may have different requirements in relation to “new matter”.