Tesla Secures Design Patent for Model S After Ending Production
The US-D1156251-S patent, granted Nov. 3, protects the sedan's exterior look until 2041 despite Musk's previous open-source pledges.
Tesla has been granted a design patent for the exterior of the Model S, just months after discontinuing the sedan’s production. The United States Patent and Trademark Office issued the patent on November 3, securing the vehicle's visual identity for the next 15 years.
What Happened
The patent, designated US-D1156251-S, covers an "automobile body" that matches the latest Model S design. Although the patent does not explicitly name the Model S, the included drawings depict the car from multiple angles, highlighting 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 the patent in May 2025, prior to the official announcement of the Model S and Model X discontinuation during the Q4 2025 earnings call in January.
Why It Matters
This legal move provides Tesla with the ability to take action against any automaker releasing a vehicle with a body design too similar to the Model S. The protection lasts until 2041, ensuring the sedan’s aesthetic remains exclusive to Tesla even as the vehicle itself exits the market. This comes despite Tesla’s historical stance on patents; in 2014, the company pledged not to sue those using its technology in good faith. Additionally, CEO Elon Musk stated in July that Tesla planned to open-source the Model S and Model X designs, similar to the original Roadster. The patent protection and the promised open-source release are not necessarily in conflict, as Tesla can still publish engineering documents and software for repair shops while retaining exclusive rights to the exterior look. However, Tesla has not yet announced when those open-source files will be released.
The Bottom Line
Tesla’s decision to patent the Model S design marks the final chapter for its first flagship sedan, which saw over 400,000 deliveries since 2012. With the Fremont factory lines torn down to make room for Optimus robot production, the Model S remains protected by intellectual property rights even as its physical production ends.
