The FAIR principles paper (March 15, 2016) offers high-level guidance for finding, accessing, combining and reusing research materials—not a standard or prescribed technology. Metadata are descriptions, such as what an observation file contains and how to request it. An identifier is a name or code distinguishing an object; FAIR calls for globally unique, lasting identifiers. It asks that metadata remain accessible after data become unavailable, while allowing identity and permission checks. Illustrative case: a readable record identifies an observation file and describes its access restrictions, but the observations cannot be obtained. The reviewer can identify the missing material without having its observations to inspect.