From P2P Foundation

"Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders. An RFID tag is a small object that can be attached to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person. RFID tags contain silicon chips and antennas to enable them to receive and respond to radio-frequency queries from an RFID transceiver. Passive tags require no internal power source, whereas active tags require a power source." (Wikipedia)

More Information

Documents

Five key documents from the Institute for the Future:

What is RFID?, at http://www.iftf.org/docs/SR-926A_Thinking_RFID_Intro.pdf

Controversies surrounding RFID, at http://www.iftf.org/docs/SR_926B_RFID_Public_Concerns.pdf

RFID embedded chips, at http://www.iftf.org/docs/SR_926C_RFID_Flashpoints.pdf

RFID chips in the context of pervasive computing, at http://www.iftf.org/docs/SR_926D_RFID_SmartHomes_SociableDevices.pdf

Recommendations from the IFTF, at http://www.iftf.org/docs/SR_926E_RFID_Implications.pdf

Podcasts

Business Week's CEO Guide to RFID