SAN FRANCISCO (AFX) - Sony Corp may be forced to delay the launch of its PlayStation 3 console until the autumn, according to published reports.

The launch, originally scheduled for the spring, could be delayed for months because of the failure to set the specifications of the Blue-ray DVD technology, a Sony Computer Entertainment spokesman said, according to Kyodo News.

A group of about 80 Blu-ray DVD manufacturers, including Sony Corp and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, did not set specifications for the advanced DVD format by the end of last year, Kyodo reported.

Manufacturing is scheduled to begin at the end of the month, Kyodo said. This story was supplied by MarketWatch. For further information see www.marketwatch.com.