With no explanation, chose the best option from "A", "B", "C" or "D". that holding on appeal. The district court next held that defendant could not assert that Sterilization Systems has- a legally protected interested in the action, because Sterilization Systems itself has never claimed that it has such an interest. Defendant contends that a claim of interest is not required. Our precedent declares otherwise. Joinder is “contingent ... upon an initial requirement that the absent party claim a legally protected interest relating to the subject matter of the action.” Northrop Corp. v. McDonnell Douglas Carp., 705 F.2d 1030, 1043 (9th Cir.1983) (emphasis added). Here, Sterilization Systems was aware of this action and chose not to claim an interest. That being so, the district court did not err by holding that joinder was “unnecessary.” See id. at 1043-44 (<HOLDING>). See also Thomas, Head and Greisen Employees

A: holding that the defendant failed to demonstrate government acquiescence in part because he never reported alleged gang incidents to the government and therefore could not prove that the government was even aware of a problem
B: holding where 1 the government provided the defendant with all the necessary drugmaking materials 2 the government provided instructions on how to make the drugs and 3 the defendant sought out the materials and help from the undercover government agents the case set the outer limits to which the government may go in the quest to ferret out and prosecute crimes but the governments conduct did not rise to the level of a due process violation
C: holding that the government has standing to appeal a district courts dismissal of an fca qui tam action over the governments objection even though the government did not formally intervene in the action
D: holding that the absent party the government  was not necessary within the meaning of rule 19 in part because the government has never asserted a formal interest in either the subject matter of this action or the action itself on the contrary the record reflects that the gjovernment has meticulously observed a neutral and disinterested posture
D.