A method of forming an electronic circuit by etching a copper foil of a copper-clad laminate comprising a rolled copper foil or electrolytic copper foil, wherein a layer of nickel or nickel alloy (A), which is a metal or alloy with a lower etching rate than copper, is foinied on the etching side of the copper foil, a heat resistance layer (B) composed of zinc or zinc alloy or its oxide is formed on the nickel or nickel alloy layer (A), and thereafter the copper foil is subject to etching with an aqueous ferric chloride or an aqueous copper chloride to remove any unwanted portion of the copper and thereby form a copper circuit.