AP Stylebook entry on "incorporated"--need an interpretation

[troutx]

When do you use Inc. after a company name?

AP Stylebook:
incorporated Abbreviate and capitalize Inc. when used as part of a corporate name. It usually is not needed, but when it is used, do not set off with commas: J.C. Penney Co. Inc. announced ...

Inc. usually is "not needed." So leave it off? But if a regular ol' company like J.C. Penney needs it, when would it not be needed with a company whose name includes it?

 

[MileHigh]

In general, yes, leave it off.

 

[troutx]

Thanks--I'll leave it off.

 

[Gold]

It might be appropriate if you are quoting a lawsuit or you use a corporate name which owns a company which is known as something else. IE, Pizza Hut, which is owned by Pepsico, Inc. (I don't think they are owned by Pepsico, but they may have been at one time)