Apple violated antitrust laws by blocking fair competition to ensure the dominance of its iPhone, the Justice Department alleged Thursday in a long-awaited federal lawsuit that could upend the business model of the world’s second-most valuable company. Filed in a New Jersey federal court by the DOJ and 16 state attorneys general, the lawsuit alleges that Apple has maintained an illegal monopoly over the smartphone market through unfair tactics, such as onerous App Store fees and restricted developer access to key features of its products, resulting in higher prices and fewer choices for American shoppers. “Consumers ... (full story)