Tesla Secures Design Patent for Discontinued Model S
The patent, granted November 3, protects the sedan's exterior appearance for 15 years despite Tesla's previous open-source pledges.
Tesla has secured a design patent for the exterior body of the Model S, even though the vehicle has been discontinued. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted the patent on November 3, ensuring the sedan’s specific visual design remains protected from copycats.
What Happened
The patent, identified as US-D1156251-S, covers an "automobile body" matching the latest iteration of the Model S. Although the document does not explicitly name the Model S, the accompanying drawings clearly depict the vehicle from multiple angles, including the front, rear, sides, top, bottom, and various 3D views. These illustrations highlight distinct features such as the fastback roofline, front lip, side skirts, rear spoiler, and rear diffuser. Tesla’s chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, and Julien Bilodeau are listed as the inventors. Tesla originally filed for this patent in May 2025, months before CEO Elon Musk announced the end of Model S and Model X production during the Q4 2025 earnings call in January.
Why It Matters
This move presents a notable shift in Tesla’s intellectual property strategy, which has historically leaned toward open-source principles. In 2014, the company pledged not to sue companies using its technology in good faith, and in July, Musk stated plans to open-source the Model S and Model X designs. However, a design patent protects only the visual appearance of a product, not its underlying engineering or functionality. This distinction allows Tesla to potentially release engineering documents, service manuals, and software for owners and repair shops while retaining exclusive rights to the car’s exterior look. The patent term lasts for 15 years, meaning the design is protected until 2041. This protection could enable Tesla to take legal action against any automaker releasing a vehicle with a body that closely mimics the Model S’s aesthetic.
The Bottom Line
Tesla stopped accepting Model S orders on March 31 and delivered over 400,000 units since 2012. The Fremont production lines for the Model S and X have been dismantled to make room for the Optimus robot. While the open-source release of Model S and X engineering files remains pending, the vehicle’s exterior design is now legally protected.
