I'm a rap producer - I produce instrumentals for artists to rap to.

How does one get to be a producer like for say Jermaine Dupri, Timbaland, for example. Where do you start?

Also, how do you protect against people 'biting' my beats? How do I copyright?

Are there any sites with like guides for rap producers [tips/advice/tutorials/etc]? Because this industry seems so foreign to me how/what things go on just because you have a simple beat someone can rap to.

I'm 17 with about 60-70 beats.