Eugene Klein, a 65-year-old veteran of global supply, came up with the idea of putting personal medical and contact information on an encrypted flash drive after becoming interested in emergency preparedness. He created a comprehensive business plan with his partners to ensure the viability of their product, called "Survival On A Stick", which costs $34.99. The business plan took several months to develop and forced Klein and his partners to scrutinize potential competitors. Klein is seeking trademark protection for the product name and his partner is patenting the encryption software.

1. SOLID PLAN IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION<br />Northwest Herald<br />Business Journal<br />March 2010<br />By Kurt Begalka<br />Eugene Klein – a 65-year-old Huntley resident and 41-year global supply veteran, and co-founder of American Logistics Aid Network – became interested in emergency preparedness after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast. His work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and interest in veterans prompted him to one-up the refrigerated magnet concept by digitizing the medical or personal contact packets many seniors compile for emergency responders. The portable flash drive also has the ability to host personal information, such as photographs.<br />“I think we have and interesting one (concept). It is more of an application of existing technology,” Klein said. “You have total control. We give you the platform and you can put as much or as little information into that. And for $34.99 why wouldn’t you do it? You wouldn’t but a house without homeowner’s insurance. How many people can list off every one of the medications they take and the dosage? That to me, if nothing else, pays for itself.”<br />The idea has taken several months to progress, thanks to a comprehensive business plan that forced Klein and his partner’s to scrutinize the product’s viability and potential competitors.<br />Klein, who is after a way to fund services for disabled veterans, created Enlightenment Inc. to help in marketing a new encrypted file that can be downloaded on to any conventional flash drive. Klein said a partner in Las Vegas is patenting the software and seeking a copyright on the flash drive. Klein is seeking trademark protection for the name: Survival On A Stick.<br />“The big expense is on the patent side. That is why he (my partner) is doing it,” Klein joked. “Tt can run between $15,000 and $20,000. And once you file for a patent, that information is out there for everybody. A copyright and trademark is easier, more of a cookie-cutter. The other piece is trade secrets.”<br />It costs between $275 and $375 to apply for a trademark. They can be used to identify goods which may be natural, manufactured, or produced, and which are sold or otherwise transported or distributed via interstate commerce…<br />