diff --git a/autonetkit/ank_json.py b/autonetkit/ank_json.py
index ea716105..1785dc2a 100644
--- a/autonetkit/ank_json.py
+++ b/autonetkit/ank_json.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 import networkx as nx
 from networkx.readwrite import json_graph
 from autonetkit.render2 import NodeRender, PlatformRender
+from autonetkit.ank import shallow_copy_nx_graph
 
 
 class AnkEncoder(json.JSONEncoder):
@@ -278,6 +279,9 @@ def jsonify_anm_with_graphics(anm, nidb=None):
 
     for overlay_id in overlay_ids:
         try:
+            #make a shallow copy
+            # input_graph = anm[overlay_id]._graph
+            # nm_graph = shallow_copy_nx_graph(input_graph)
             nm_graph = anm[overlay_id]._graph.copy()
         except Exception, e:
             log.warning("Unable to copy overlay %s: %s", overlay_id, e)
@@ -340,12 +344,6 @@ def jsonify_anm_with_graphics(anm, nidb=None):
             # store on graph
             nm_graph.node[node] = node_data
 
-            if nm_graph.is_multigraph():
-                for u, v, k in nm_graph.edges(keys=True):
-                    # Store key: nx node_link_data ignores it
-                    #anm_graph[u][v][k]['_key'] = k
-                    pass  # is this needed? as key itself holds no value?
-
             try:
                 del nm_graph.node[node]['id']
             except KeyError: