If you're one of the 26 million people who visited Hollywood Boulevard last year, chances are you sought out the iconic ''Hollywood'' sign sitting high in the hills - and took photos.

You may be surprised to learn that the sign is a registered trademark, and only one person in the world has the licensed rights to sell the image on prints, postcards, posters and other products.

That person is an Australian living in Adelaide.

''I couldn't quite believe it either,'' said Shane Yeend, CEO of global company Imagination Entertainment. ''One of the most famous signs in the world and an Aussie has the rights to using its image.''

Multimillionaire Yeend has made most of his money by acquiring the rights to market interactive games based on popular culture. Games such as Deal or No Deal, Battle of the Sexes and Fifty Shades of Grey (the mind boggles) mean his company - with offices around the world - is valued at about $180 million.