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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                                   May 6, 1996

OpenVision Technologies, Inc.
7133 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 200
Pleasanton, CA 94566


         RE:      REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8/S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8/S-3 to be filed
by you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about May 7, 1996 (the
"Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 4,244,847 shares of your Common Stock
(the "Shares"), 300,000 of which are to be issued pursuant to the 1996 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan, 250,000 of which are to be issued pursuant to the 1996
Director Option Plan and 2,909,870 of which are to be issued and 784,977 of
which have been issued pursuant to the 1992 Stock Plan (together, the "Plans").
As your legal counsel, we have examined the proceedings proposed to be taken in
connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares to be issued under the
Plans.

         It is our opinion that the Shares that have been issued are, and the
Shares to be issued, when issued and sold in the manner referred to in the Plans
and pursuant to the agreements which accompany the Plans, will be, legally and
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

         We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement, including any Prospectus constituting a part thereof,
and any amendments thereto.

                                               Very truly yours,

                                               WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                               Professional Corporation

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