In the scenario of copyright infringement, what can destroy a claim for infringement?

The option regarding acquiescence by the owner of the copyright accurately illustrates a legal concept that can undermine a claim for copyright infringement. Acquiescence occurs when the copyright owner expresses a clear acceptance or tacit approval of another party's use of their work, which can imply that the owner is relinquishing their rights to enforce copyright against that particular usage. This can weaken their case if they later attempt to assert their exclusive rights.

When a copyright owner allows someone to use their work without objection for a period of time, it may be seen as a sign of agreement with that usage. Courts often consider whether the copyright owner was aware of the infringement and yet failed to act over a significant period. This could lead to the conclusion that they accepted the situation, ultimately diminishing the strength of their infringement claim.

In contrast, providing proper citations, allowing public use by executives, and showing the work to a small group do not inherently destroy a copyright infringement claim. Proper citations can actually support claims of fair use, and showing work to a small group might still fall under fair use or other acceptable practices, while public use with permission does not unequivocally negate an infringement claim unless the rights are explicitly granted.