EXHIBIT 5.1
September 20, 2002
NVIDIA Corporation
2701 San Tomas Expressway
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion with respect to certain matters in
connection with the filing by NVIDIA Corporation (the Company) of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the Registration Statement) with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering the offering of up to 17,885,855 shares
of the Companys Common Stock, $.001 par value, (the Shares) pursuant to its 1998 Equity Incentive Plan, 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and 2000 Nonstatutory Equity Incentive Plan (the Plans).
In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Registration Statement and related Prospectus, your Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, as amended,
and such other documents, records, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as we deem necessary as a basis for this opinion. We have assumed the genuineness and authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to
originals of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof, and the due execution and delivery of all documents where due execution and delivery are a prerequisite to the effectiveness thereof.
On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when sold and issued in accordance with the Plans, the Registration Statement and related
Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable (except as to shares issued pursuant to certain deferred payment arrangements, which will be fully paid and nonassessable when such deferred payments are made in full).
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
COOLEY GODWARD LLP
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/s/ ERIC C.
JENSEN
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Eric C. Jensen |