That’s not a conspiracy.
Apple is also known to influence and buy politicians to win favors -- see Obama's reversal of Samsung ITC in 2013. In America, this is called "lobbying" and is perfectly legit. It's also rumored that USFTC's lawsuit against Qualcomm was Obama's parting gift to Apple. It looked like Qualcomm's allies (aka, lobbyists) urged Trump to terminate FTC's complaint against Qualcom, but I guess we will have to see how far this administration will allow this to go on.
There were none. It was REALLY easy to check that. There was a video anyone can watch.
If they misuse it why jot either quote it (to make it clear it’s kind of dubious) or use a correct term?
That’s why contract law exists.
Apple in 2001 was posting losses and were an acquisition target. By 2007 they were just stabilising the company on the back of iPod but posting relatively small profits. It was the iPhone that propelled the company into being a huge, successful company we have today.
So why are they suing now ? Because they can afford to. They simply aren't the tiny, vulnerable company they were back in 2007 which Qualcomm could have crushed. And the world has changed such that phones are far more than just phones.