OK, well I bought a blue, a green, a red, and a violet Hasbro lightsabre today.  These newfangled ones are tough when struck together.  There's even a warning lable on them which warns against thrusting them into objects or people becuase they are designed to lock open and will not collapse back in like the old style sabres.  That should arm those who forget or don't know to bring their lightsabres to CopperCon.  I couldn't find a doublebladed in the new style, but I don't think I will bring mine.  It just wouldn't hold up to the new style sabres.  Look how poorly it held up in lineup fights. 

I've been given the official panel writeup:

FAM01 Lightsaber Duels
Young Jedi (or Sith) of all ages will be instructed in the art of the
lightsaber and will have the chance to duel. As befits elegant weapons
from an elegant time, duels will be light or no touch.

So I guess they decided upon an instruction part before the duels begin.  I'm not sure if that means instruction upon the rules of the contest, or if they actually expect instruction--helmet blinded and all!  I guess I'll find out Thursday when I show up to the convention.  Tomorrow I go shopping for japor snippet carving supplies.  Wish me luck.