A surgical system, comprising: a surgical instrument comprising an end effector wherein said end effector comprises: a first jaw; and a second jaw; a replaceable staple cartridge configured to be seated in said first jaw, wherein said replaceable staple cartridge comprises: a proximal end; a distal end; a cartridge body comprising a cartridge deck; an elongate slot extending from said proximal end toward said distal end; staples removably stored in said cartridge body; and a sled configured to translate along said elongate slot and drive said staples out of said cartridge body during a staple firing stroke; an RFID tag comprising stored information, wherein said RFID tag is inoperable after a predefined action of said surgical instrument; an RFID scanner configured to transmit a first signal to said RFID tag, wherein said RFID scanner is configured to receive a second signal from said RFID tag in response to said first signal, wherein the second signal is not received when the RFID tag is inoperable; a controller, wherein the controller prevents at least one operation of said surgical instrument when said RFID scanner does not receive said second signal from said RFID tag in response to said first signal; and characterized by: a retainer releasably attached to said replaceable staple cartridge, wherein said retainer extends along said cartridge deck, wherein the retainer is configured to facilitate the attachment of the replaceable staple cartridge to the surgical instrument and/or to retain the staples in the cartridge body, wherein said RFID tag is positioned on said retainer, and wherein said RFID tag is rendered inoperable as said retainer is removed from said replaceable staple cartridge. a surgical instrument comprising an end effector wherein said end effector comprises: a first jaw; and a second jaw; a first jaw; and a second jaw; a replaceable staple cartridge configured to be seated in said first jaw, wherein said replaceable staple cartridge comprises: a proximal end; a distal end; a cartridge body comprising a cartridge deck; an elongate slot extending from said proximal end toward said distal end; staples removably stored in said cartridge body; and a sled configured to translate along said elongate slot and drive said staples out of said cartridge body during a staple firing stroke; a proximal end; a distal end; a cartridge body comprising a cartridge deck; an elongate slot extending from said proximal end toward said distal end; staples removably stored in said cartridge body; and a sled configured to translate along said elongate slot and drive said staples out of said cartridge body during a staple firing stroke; an RFID tag comprising stored information, wherein said RFID tag is inoperable after a predefined action of said surgical instrument; an RFID scanner configured to transmit a first signal to said RFID tag, wherein said RFID scanner is configured to receive a second signal from said RFID tag in response to said first signal, wherein the second signal is not received when the RFID tag is inoperable; a controller, wherein the controller prevents at least one operation of said surgical instrument when said RFID scanner does not receive said second signal from said RFID tag in response to said first signal; and characterized by: a retainer releasably attached to said replaceable staple cartridge, wherein said retainer extends along said cartridge deck, wherein the retainer is configured to facilitate the attachment of the replaceable staple cartridge to the surgical instrument and/or to retain the staples in the cartridge body, wherein said RFID tag is positioned on said retainer, and wherein said RFID tag is rendered inoperable as said retainer is removed from said replaceable staple cartridge.