Image reading/forming apparatus and method

An image reading apparatus for reading an image from an original having an RFID tag including a storage unit which stores data and a transmitter/receiver which transmits and receives the data by radio, comprising:

• a receiving unit which receives data stored in an RFID tag of the original;
• a read control unit which controls reading of the original on the basis of the received data;
• an image reading unit which reads the original under the control of the read control unit;
• a data editing unit which edits the received data in accordance with contents of the control performed by the read control unit;
• and
• a transmitting unit which transmits the data edited by the data editing unit and writes the transmitted data in the RFID tag of the original,
• wherein if the original is a child original formed by copying an image of a parent original, the storage unit of the RFID tag stores lineal generation information representing a generation of the original, and the read control unit controls reading of the original on the basis of the lineal generation information contained in the received data.