diff --git a/src/jdk.javadoc/share/classes/jdk/javadoc/internal/doclets/formats/html/AbstractMemberWriter.java b/src/jdk.javadoc/share/classes/jdk/javadoc/internal/doclets/formats/html/AbstractMemberWriter.java
index 144cd6b8897..285e43cc6aa 100644
--- a/src/jdk.javadoc/share/classes/jdk/javadoc/internal/doclets/formats/html/AbstractMemberWriter.java
+++ b/src/jdk.javadoc/share/classes/jdk/javadoc/internal/doclets/formats/html/AbstractMemberWriter.java
@@ -294,20 +294,6 @@ public abstract class AbstractMemberWriter implements MemberSummaryWriter, Membe
         return utils.getSimpleName(member);
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Returns {@code true} if the given element is inherited
-     * by the class that is being documented.
-     *
-     * @param ped the element being checked
-     *
-     * @return {@code true} if inherited
-     */
-    protected boolean isInherited(Element ped){
-        return (!utils.isPrivate(ped) &&
-                (!utils.isPackagePrivate(ped) ||
-                    ped.getEnclosingElement().equals(ped.getEnclosingElement())));
-    }
-
     /**
      * Adds use information to the documentation tree.
      *