Can this be changed in bitcoin protocol if is needed?
Miners decide what txs add to blockchain, there is no set rule in bitcoin protocol for the value of tx fee. Recommended fee was historically 0.01 BTC, then 0.0005 BTC and now 0.0001 BTC.
0.01 BTC! That seems like a lot now.
I guess 0.0001 BTC will seem like a lot in the future.

hmm.. the price is high.. i'll back.