If someone uses your copyrighted work online without permission, you should take the following steps:

1. Document the Infringement: Take screenshots and save URLs as evidence showing that your copyrighted content is being used without authorization.

2. Confirm Copyright Ownership: Make sure your work qualifies for copyright protection and that you either created it or hold the legal rights.

3. Contact the Infringer: You can start by sending a polite but firm cease-and-desist email or message, requesting the content be removed and citing your copyright.

4. File a DMCA Takedown Notice: If the infringer doesn’t respond or comply, you can submit a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown request to the website host or platform (like YouTube, Instagram, or a blog host). Most platforms have online forms for this process.

5. Seek Legal Action if Needed: If the infringement continues or causes financial harm, you may want to consult a copyright attorney to discuss potential legal action.

- To protect your creative content:

1. Register Your Work with the Copyright Office or the appropriate agency. While copyright exists automatically when the work is created, registration provides stronger legal protections and the ability to sue for damages.

2. Use Watermarks or other identifiers on digital works.

3. Include Copyright Notices (e.g., © 2025 Your Name) on your content.

4. Use Licensing Terms (such as Creative Commons) if you want to control how your work is shared or reused.