Copyright violation is a hot topic, concerning both digital and traditional works, especially artworks and patents.
Here, I'll list 5 basic ways to improve the recognition of your works as your original creations. You may already know all of them but try not to forget them but be aware of them the whole time.

Most of the discussed ways are quite easy to get around but will nevertheless increase the amount of work the copycat has to do to "steal" your creations.
So, the followinh simple tips will help others recognize the true author. More complex ways of protection exist, so research and use them when and if you see them fit for your specific needs.

1. Apply PROPER FILE NAMING/TITLING
It's really bad when you try to save visual art images from dA and when you "Save image as..." a name like "5kdd9ssd9sddfkliyxx8sxipss9" pops out. This can't help people to recognize the name or the author of the work, especially if they store it and view it later. So, instead, try to name your images in a more recognizable manner, like for example:
title of artwork_by_author name. dA usually exports images in a similar way but sometimes the annoying aformentioned results pop out as a result, especially if the "Allow download of original" option on the deviation submission page isn't selected.
It's true that longer, more descriptive titles produces a small increase in file size but they're more suitable for use by a human user.

2. Incorporate WATERMARKS
I'm not going to discuss the pros and cons of this type of protection but its purpose is basically the same as titles but as part of the image.
Now, we can all agree that huge watermarks isn't the way to appeal to audiences, so it's better to try to create watermarks that are naturally part of the image(they should "integrate" with the depicted objects, not interfere with them), not just some text splashed on top of it(even with that option, try to come up with an "creatively integrated" typography letters).
Be creative and come up with combination of an artistic fitting watermark with the name of the author, month & year of creation, signature and a URL if the author has a personal website(or the URL of your dA page). Of course, not all of these things are obligatory to be included, so decide for yourself what fits your needs and goals.

3. Put copyright info in the Author's Comments
Yes, the ©[year] ~deviantname & URL under deviations isn't enough outside dA but putting huge amounts of copyright warnings in that space is also discouraged for aesthetic reasons.
Still, texts like:
[year of creation ] © [author's real name or nickname/pseudomym].
All rights reserved.
My images may not be reproduced in any form without my written permission.
or copyright notices like
Every artwork or photo in my gallery are under my copyright and they cannot be used in any way unless you have my written permission. This includes posting them on other sites unless you have my written permission. You cannot modify or use them as stock and you cannot sell them ! For illegal use of my artwork, I will use legal action. are good but shorter ones, like
[year of creation ] © [author's real name or nickname/pseudomym]
No part of this publication may be reproduce in any form or
by any electronic or mechanical means without my agreement.
, tend to be aceepted as superior but they're all good ways to show your original creative rights.
Yet another way is to use plz icons or stamps like [link] to say the same thing. You know, the kind with two plz icons together which form a copyright notice/warning.

4. Develop an unique style as a sort of "trademark"
That can help you fight copycats because, obviosly, the copycats will find it very difficult and sometimes almost impossible to plagiarize.
Of course, even masterful copies of masterpieces of renown classical genius painters exist but such acts can only be achieved by professional copycats and that requires talent and a lot of time and money, things which most copycats lack.

5. Know your rights, study and research COPYRIGHTS!
Educate yourself in the basics and specifics of the international intellectual property laws and their country-specific(local) corresponding laws.
Research via the Web, most of the information you need is probably already there, just waiting to be learned and applied. Keep track of changes in copyright laws or their application(like online news sources or newspapers) to be completely safe.
Contact and consult yourself with law professionals(lawyers) if necessary or study to become one!
Revise and enrich your understanding of copyright, briefly said.

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Here are some helpful links concerning the topic as an extro(note: always consult with a professional because as with any information, online texts can be misleading or inaccurate):

BERNE CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF LITERARY AND ARTISTIC WORK(Paris Text 1971) - [link]

10 Big Myths about copyright explained by Brad Templeton - [link]

Copyright @ DMOZ(an open directory project) - [link]

Copyright & Wikipedia - [link]

Intellectual property @ Wikipedia - [link]

Copyright for Kids - basic FAQs - [link]

U.S. Copyright Office - Frequently Asked Questions about Copyright - [link]

Copyscape - a simple online tool to search for copies of your page on the web - [link]

Copyright explained: I may copy it right? @ SmashingMagazine.com - [link]

Copyright explained - a basic overview of the copyright laws @ PAML - [link]

Google search for "copyright explained" - [link]

The Copyright Policy of deviantART - [link]


!!! Anti-copyright movements and opinions(like Free Software movement or Free Culture movement or Freedom of Ideas/Ideas are contributions to humanity and can't be copyrighted, etc...) as well as partial copyright movements(e.g. Creative Commons) also exist and are quite active(I'm one of their supporters but sometimes (C) is inevitably needed):
[link]
Anti-copyright - Google search - [link]

Some deviations on the topic:
[link]
[link]
[link]
[link]



Commenting and researching is advised.
Caution, too!

NOTE: I'm not currently able to expand this piece of news, respond to all questions or correct any typos(mistakes) herein but sharing more information on the copyright topics with comments or more dA news or via any other way is welcome and encouraged to improve the knowledge of the entire community. Thanks in advance!