This may be something theymos would change but it seems like the main point of the copper membership had to do with being able to post images, and not
really about signatures. It did provide "some of the same permissions" as member-rank members, but since member-rank members are now under the merit system as well, I believe Copper Members would still have to get through the merit requirements.
By popular demand, newbies can now pay to have some of their restrictions lifted. If you pay the fee, you become a Copper Member, and you can post images. That's the main point of this: allowing newbies to post images. Additionally (and these might change depending on how things go), Copper Members currently have these bonuses:
- Some of the same permissions as Member-rank members, such as reduced signature styling restrictions. (But none of the PM-related restrictions are currently lifted, such as the style limit or per-hour PM limit.)
- Your "you must wait ____ seconds between ___" counter is reduced by 75%. So if you're naturally of Newbie rank, you only have to wait 360-75% = 90 seconds.
--snip--
And as it states on the promo page:
You can still be banned if you break the rules. You will not get any special treatment.
These memberships are not guaranteed to last forever, or to offer the same benefits forever.
No refunds will be given.
Regardless, I would hope a copper member would be able to get 10 merit points.