I never said it was fair play, I disputed that it was a "bizarre tactic".

There is a trademark angle to your example, so if DDG has a Trademark argument, they should challenge (although "duck" is pretty broad, so I doubt it). Otherwise, try to snipe the domain like the rest of us.

Google bought a company that used to be known as Duck Corporation. Your analogy is deeply incongruous.

Those would both be (clearly intentional) trademark violations so probably not.

Now if Duck Duck Go trademarked "duck" then they'd have a case.