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This actually doesn't sound like a side effect, but, rather, an intended one: an attempt to contaminate patenting in the industry.

I find it a smart move. Not sure what it really bears though: "for the greater good of the industry" incentive or just a PR move with a string attached.

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I have a more optimistic view: Tesla is simply saying that you can live in a post-patent world, or not.

Of course as a company late to the automotive game it benefits Tesla to neutralise the legal quagmire of patents. But fair enough I say. If their patents are valuable enough, they might get some traction.

Perhaps they believe they have enough of a head-start that they has more to gain from a more or less patent free industry than they have from having patents, but then also having to deal with every ankle-biter who claims to have a relevant patent.

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