EXHIBIT 5.1
                                                                     -----------

                               September 13, 2002

Genus,  Inc.
1139 Karlstad Drive
Sunnyvale, CA 94086

          RE:     REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Ladies  and  Gentlemen:


          We  have  examined  the  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-8/A (the
"Registration  Statement")  to be filed by Genus, Inc., a California corporation
(the  "Registrant"  or "you"), with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or
about  September  13,  2002,  in  connection  with  the  registration  under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of shares of your Common Stock, no par value
(the  "Shares"),  reserved  for issuance pursuant to the 2000 Stock Plan and the
1989  Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan,  as  amended (the "Plans"). As your legal
counsel  in  connection  with this transaction, we have reviewed the proceedings
taken  by you in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant to
the  Plans.

          It  is  our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner described
in  the Plans and pursuant to the agreements that accompany each grant under the
Plans,  the  Shares  will  be  legally  and  validly  issued,  fully-paid  and
non-assessable.

          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 and any subsequent amendment thereto.

                                           Very  truly  yours,

                                           WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                           Professional  Corporation

                                           /s/  Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati