How can I file a lawsuit against someone for plagarism/copyright infringement?

Question

I wrote a piece of literature and gave it to someone online for feedback. I gave it to her because she is also writer and doesn't know me personally (therefore she won't just "try to be nice".) She hasn't responded for weeks.
The literature is not published, however it IS copyrighted and registered with the Library of Congress. The person who has it knows that, but I'm still not sure. Am I just being paranoid? I just want to be prepared in case someone tries to steal my work.

Answer 1

You will have to file a civil case in the court where you live. Keep all evidence that you wrote it, copyrighted it, sent it to her and any evidence she used it in whole or part. The last part is key and the most difficult to accomplish. All that in hand, you will have to prove damages which won't be hard if you have proof she used it. If you request damages over the jurisdictional limit in the small claims court in your jurisdicition, you will have to get an attorney to assist you.

I suggest you send her an email inquiring about her opinion and then let her know its copyrighted material that you will need returned to you without use.