Apple has told Boot Camp beta users that the software license will expire with the release of the next version of the Mac OS X, so customers will need to upgrade to Leopard to continue receiving support for the software that enables the use of Windows on the Mac.

Apple said on its Web site that Boot Camp beta versions 1.0 through 1.2 expired on Sept. 30, and users would have to upgrade to version 1.4 in order to remain covered under the software license. Boot Camp is currently licensed for use on a trial basis for a limited time.

"The new beta license will allow you to continue using Boot Camp until Mac OS X Leopard is available," Apple said. Leopard, which is scheduled to ship this month, will include Boot Camp.

New features in the latest beta version include support for keyboard backlighting, which is on the MacBook Pro only. In addition, there's updated graphics drivers, an improved Boot Camp driver installer, and an updated Windows help.

Boot Camp is one of four major commercial options for running Windows on the Mac. The others are Parallels Desktop from Parallels, Fusion from VMware, and CrossOver Mac from CodeWeavers. Such software makes it easier for people to switch from Microsoft Windows to the Mac, since they can continue to run their Windows applications.

Apple has been pushing ease of use in running Windows on the Mac. In June, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs featured Boot Camp, Parallels, and Fusion as three ways to run Windows on Leopard. The demonstration was at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco.