I'm in a difficult situation and trying to figure out my next steps.
reverse engineering software. I've been dealing with this for about 5 months now and the situation isn't improving.
This involves original creative work over the past 16 months. I do have documentation proving my ownership and timeline.
What are the risks if I pursue this? What's the likely timeline?
Pro tip: if a company is violating your rights and you need legal help but can't afford it, check if any law school clinics in your area handle your type of case. Law students (supervised by licensed attorneys) provide free legal services and are often very thorough because they're learning.
Make sure you have evidence of ownership before sending any letters.
A cease and desist letter is usually the first step. Many situations resolve at that stage.
Copyright registration isn't required but it helps a lot with damages.