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EXHIBIT 5.1
OPINION OF COUNSEL
October 2, 2000
Mercury Interactive Corporation
1325 Borregas Avenue
Sunnyvale, California 94089
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8
Ladies and 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 October 2, 2000 (the
"Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a total of 2,000,000 shares of your
Common Stock (the "Shares") reserved for issuance under the 2000 Supplemental
Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). As legal counsel for Mercury Interactive
Corporation, 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 the Shares under the Plan.
It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner referred to in
the Plan and pursuant to the agreement which accompanies each grant under the
Plan, the Shares 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 it appears in the
Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.
Very truly yours,
GENERAL COUNSEL ASSOCIATES LLP
/s/ General Counsel Associates LLP