The radiative return and form factors at large Q2

The measurement of the pion form factor and, more generally, of the cross section for electron-positron annihilation into hadrons through the radiative return has become an important task for high luminosity colliders such as the Φ- or B-meson factories. For a detailed understanding and analysis of this reaction, the construction of a Monte Carlo program, PHOKHARA, has been undertaken. A brief overview of the most recent developments is presented, which include the combination of initial- and final-state radiation in the case of two-pion production. Baryon pair production is now included and the pion form factor is extended into the region of large Q2. A model for the kaon form factor is discussed which is fitted to K+K− and K0K¯0 data and which leads to predictions for the τ-decay into K−K0ν.