Networking equipment provider Citrix Systems Inc. has initiated a legal battle against one of its smaller upstart rivals, Avi Networks.

The lawsuit, filed last month, accuses Avi Networks of patent infringement and spreading “false claims” about Citrix’s NetScaler application delivery controller product. News of the lawsuit came via The Register, which reported Thursday that the patent suit relates to Avi Network’s Vantage Platform, a software-defined application service that Citrix claims infringes upon its patents.

“Avi Networks is using Citrix’s patented technology without a license or Citrix’s permission,” Citrix said in its complaint, filed at the Delaware District Court. Citrix also accused Avi Networks of “intentionally making numerous false and misleading claims about Citrix’s NetScaler technology on Avi Networks’ website.”

Citrix added that the aim of the suit was to prevent Avi Networks’ “improper conduct” and to recover damages over its wrongful use of its patented technology in its Vantage Platform. Citrix also wants to stop Avi Networks from making “further deceptive statements” and selling its infringing product without the correct licenses.

Citrix appears to have a beef with Avi Networks over its recruitment practices as well, as the smaller firm has hired a number of its former employees and executives in the last few years. This includes Avi Network’s current Chief Executive Officer Amit Pandey, who served as vice president and general manager of Mobile Solutions at Citrix from January 2013 to March 2014.

“Several other Citrix employees have left to join that company, bringing with them their knowledge of Citrix’s products and intellectual property,” Citrix complained in its filing.