Here is a great introductory presentation to ORCID, by Laurel L Haak, Executuve Director of ORCID:

Connecting Research and Researchers, is taken from the CrossRef Annual Meeting on 14th November 2012.

It outlines ORCID scope and principles, and addresses how ORCIS it tackling "The Problem":

...Without a way to discretely identify those participating inresearch across disciplines, organizations, and countries,the research community lacks the ability toaccurately and easily identify and link researchersand scholars with their professional activities.