OPINION OF COUNSEL
Published on February 6, 1998
EXHIBIT 5.1
WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
Professional Corporation
650 PAGE MILL ROAD
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304-1050
TELEPHONE 415-493-9300 FACSIMILE 415-493-6811
WWW.WSGR.COM
February 6, 1998
SCM Microsystems, Inc.
131 Albright Way
Los Gatos, CA 95032
RE: REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
Gentlemen:
We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by you
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about February 6, 1998 (the
"Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 50,000 shares of your Common Stock
reserved for issuance under the 1997 Director Option Plan (the "Plan"). As your
legal counsel, we have examined the proceedings taken and are familiar with the
proceedings proposed to be taken by you in connection with the sale and issuance
of such Common Stock under the Plan.
It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner referred to in
the Plan and pursuant to the agreements which accompany the Plan, the Common
Stock issued and sold thereby 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, including any Prospectus constituting a part thereof,
and any amendments thereto. This opinion may be incorporated by reference in any
abbreviated registration statement filed pursuant to Item E under the general
instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the
Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
Professional Corporation
/s/ Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati