PETOŠEVIĆ PEOPLE: Q&A with George Irimescu

Part of the PETOŠEVIĆ Romania team, Associate George Irimescu focuses on clearance, registration, maintenance and enforcement of trademarks and industrial designs. George is also currently earning his LLD in a program jointly taught by Maastricht University in the Netherlands and Nicolae Titulescu University in Romania. We asked George about his work, his favorite music, books, and much more.

1. How did you start your career in the IP field?

   After finishing law school, I was interested in intellectual property law, so during my master’s studies, I looked for opportunities to start my career in this field, which happened within a few months.

2. What is the most challenging aspect of your work?

   There are many gray-zone cases in which good expertise is combined with a certain level of creativity, which makes every new day exciting in this field. Also, the IP world is evolving more rapidly than other fields of law, so keeping up with developments is another challenge.

3. What do you most enjoy doing at work?

   Brainstorming with the team. Sharing ideas and perspectives is always priceless.

4. What would you be working in, if you weren’t working in IP?

   I would probably be practicing in other fields of law, or maybe I would have pursued a career in education.

5. What was the first job you’ve ever had?

   During law school, I was a trainer for the Romanian CODECS Foundation for Leadership, where trainees were high school students. It was a job I very much enjoyed.

6. What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

   Reading, going to the theater and playing music are my favorite leisure activities. I’ve been told that I am a pretty decent bass player.

7. What book did you read last?

   “Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd”, written by Nick Mason, the band’s drummer. As Mason himself describes it, “it’s hopefully a rather funny book about a serious band.”

8. What is your favorite song/music at the moment?

   This always changes, but right now I am listening to one of my favorites, a song called “Angels and Clowns” by the Romanian band Kumm. I highly recommend checking them out.

9. What is your favorite dish of all time?

   For me the context is more important than the food itself, so anything at a family dinner could be my favorite dish.

10. If you could meet anyone in the world, from the past or present, who would it be and why?

    I would love to meet my grandparents again. I’d be very curious to hear what pieces of advice they have for me in my thirties.

11. What was your favorite subject in school and why?

    I loved history, maybe because I’ve always enjoyed a good story.

12. What did you want to be when growing up?

    I remember wanting to become a policeman because, in my mind, it was rather cool that policemen can run a red light whenever they wish. Then I wanted to become a teacher because of the long holidays. I think becoming a doctor was also on the list at some point.

13. Tell us three things most people don’t know about you.

    I am a huge Monopoly fan, not so much for the game itself, which is also fun, but because I like discovering different special editions and adaptations involving bands, shows or events. I recently received a Game of Thrones edition and I can’t wait to see how the cards, properties or tokens are adapted. I am also a passionate vinyl collector. I have quite a few records, but I’m still searching for the perfect sound system. Lastly, my dream is to open a small jazz café when I retire, where I would spend most of my time with my family. I hope people will still appreciate jazz then.

14. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

    I’d learn to speak more foreign languages. Finding connections between different languages fascinates me.

15. What is your biggest frustration about the world around you?

    The lack of interest in environmental issues. It’s discouraging to see how humans knowingly destroy their own quality of life.

16. What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?

    I’ve learned to be closer to my loved ones, and to never miss an opportunity to bring them joy and to spend time with them.

17. What do you wish you could have told yourself at age 13?

    To do more sports. In school, they don’t call it “physical education” for nothing. Unfortunately, when it comes to taking care of your own body, the “education” part is somehow left out.

18. What cities/countries have you lived in?

    I have only lived in Bucharest.

19. If you could live in another country of the 30+ countries where PETOŠEVIĆ operates, which would you pick and why?

    I would pick Croatia. I haven’t been there yet, but I think its Adriatic coast is a pretty good reason for this choice. Also, it’s not that far from home.

20. If someone came to your city for 24 hours, where would you take them?

    I always start the tour at the Romanian Athenaeum, a concert hall in the center of Bucharest, and then continue down Calea Victoriei, a major avenue in Bucharest. Many buildings and spots telling many stories about Romania’s history can be seen along this street, such as the National Museum of Art, the Revolution Square, the Odeon Theatre and the National Museum of Romanian History. The avenue ends with the Old Town, an area full of bars, pubs and more historical buildings.