[yaix]

Same here, would like to use Docs more and use Picasa more, but I don't want to risk losing gmail access.

[jfoster]

You can get backups of Docs & Picasa: https://www.google.com/takeout/

Gmail should let you download all emails into an email client, but the point people are making about losing access to the address itself remains very valid.

Would be interesting to know if anyone has ever lost access to their account and filed suit in an attempt to get it back. Current MegaUpload case is a bit different, but related.