Well it seemed like a good idea at the time

Peter Blake, who designed the cover of the Beatles’ album Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, sold the rights for £200. Had he kept them, he would of course have collected royalties every time the album was sold.

Hilda Brabban, the creator of the 1960s children’s television characters Bill and Ben, fared even worse. She simply gave her rights to the BBC, which has since earned more than two million pounds from videos and other Bill and Ben merchandise.