Just wondering, can't we ( ok, theymos) separate the actual rank from the copper membership? It's not a rank anyway. Just to be added as an extra field in the profile.
Same for the Donators, VIP and Staff??
In reality, buying Copper Membership only give buyers priviledges to post images, showing hyperlinks in their signature codes even they are Newbies.
It doesn't mean that they can join bounty with Newbie rank.
I think the forum admin has made good decision to demote Junior Members who are not own any merit, and don't allow Copper Members to have all the same rights as real Junior Members.