"What are the steps I need to follow to protect my creative work, like a book or a song, from being copied or used without my permission?"

To protect your creative work, such as a book or song, from being copied or used without your permission, you should take the following steps:

1. Copyright your work: Copyright protection gives you exclusive control over your creative work, such as books, songs, and artworks, by granting you the legal right to prevent others from reproducing, distributing, and creating derivative works of your work without your permission. In the United States, you can register your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office, which requires you to provide certain information about your work and pay a fee. Copyright registration gives you additional legal protection, such as the ability to sue for infringement and the ability to seek statutory damages and attorney's fees.

2. Use a notice of copyright: Including a notice of copyright on your work, such as © followed by your name and the year of creation, helps to inform others that your work is protected by copyright and that they need your permission to use it. Though not required under the law, it may deter potential infringers and strengthen your case if legal action is necessary.

3. License your work: You can allow others to use your work under certain conditions by licensing it. By licensing your work, you can specify how it may be used, whether it may be modified or used commercially, and how it should be attributed. When licensing your work, it is important to draft a clear, concise agreement that specifies the terms of the license and the consequences for a breach.

4. Monitor for infringement: Regularly monitor your work and online platforms where your work may be offered for sale or shared to ensure that it is not being used without your permission. If you find an instance of infringement, take action to stop the infringing use, such as sending a cease and desist letter or filing a lawsuit.

It is important to note that copyright protection does not extend to ideas or concepts, only to the tangible expression of those ideas. Additionally, fair use exceptions to copyright law allow for limited use of copyrighted material for purposes such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. Therefore, it is important to consult with a licensed attorney if you have any questions about the application of copyright law to your particular situation.