Should it be an inadvertent overload or knowing overloading a circuit with the expectation that the OCPD will provide protection? I have always been of the school that one should never "intentionally" overload or short circuit a circuit.
I will never intentionally overload a circuit.
But the general public, not being aware of the circuit layout has no idea if they are plugging into a loaded circuit or an unloaded circuit.
The only protection is the assumption the OCPD will open.
Clearly the NEC assumes the OCPD will open in every instance the NEC allows multiple receptacles on one circuit.