small chance to win vs willfull infringement & treble damages

find a benefit that will make doing a settlement before trial worthwhile

see above, and the chance to save face before being found guilty of infringement

That means they want a special deal on damages and I presume a reduced license fee

What they want and what they are offered and eventually get are two diff things 

what happened just recently to make them decide to talk settlement.

Not neccessarily recent.. TPL/TTC Markman success on '336 & '148, '584 removed from litigation, Mediation.. and see above

get a license to one or more of the MMP patents

They will eventually have to license all patents (MMP).. but possibly settle just the '336/'148 initially 

news from the USPTO in regards to one or more of the contested patent claims

I do not believe the USPTO would give any info under the table to any of the parties.. if there were findings/filings, they would be made public.  Now it is possible TPL/TTC let the Js see what they submitted to USPTO re the '336 to help the Js see the light... 

It could be a delay by congress on a law that would require PTSC to license their patents at a fair price

I believe the Stay was asked for long before it was realized the Senate would not be voting on Patent Reform Bill until '08.  

jmo.. corrections welcomed