HOLLYWOOD, CA, -- Online DVD rental firm Netflix got a patent for its business model Tuesday and promptly filed a patent infringement suit against its main rival.

Netflix accuses Blockbuster of stealing both its technology and the idea of a DVD-by-mail rental service to launch its Blockbuster Online product, the Hollywood Reporter said Wednesday.

The company intends to ask a federal jury to close down Blockbuster Online and force it to pay royalties and damages to Netflix.